Description
Zesty lemon bars with a buttery crust and tangy filling. These easy-to-make bars balance sweet and tart flavors, serve 16-20, and freeze well for future enjoyment.
Ingredients
Unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups (230g) – softened to room temperature
Granulated sugar 1 1/4 cups (250g) – for crust
All-purpose flour 2 1/4 cups (280g) – or gluten-free blend
Lemon juice 1/2 cup (120ml) – from 3-4 lemons
Lemon zest 3 tablespoons – optional for extra flavor
Eggs 4 large – at room temperature
Sugar 1 cup (200g) – for filling
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 13″x9″ pan
Combine 1 1/4 cups sugar, 2 1/4 cups flour, and 1 1/2 cups cold butter in a mixer
Pulse until crumbly. Press mixture firmly into prepared pan
Bake crust for 15 minutes until golden brown. Cool on wire rack
Whisk 4 eggs with 1 cup sugar until light yellow
Add 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice and 3 tablespoons lemon zest. Stir well
Pour mixture over cooled crust. Return to oven
Bake filling 15-18 minutes until golden and center is set
Cool bars completely at room temperature for 1 hour
Place in refrigerator 3 hours or overnight to set
Before serving, refrigerate for 30 minutes to prevent sticking
Notes
Use room temperature butter and eggs for smooth mixing
Don’t overbake the crust – edge should show slight cracks
Measure lemon juice by weight for precise tartness
Chill completely before cutting for clean edges
Underbaked crust becomes soggy – check after 12 minutes
Substitute gluten-free flour if needed
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 40mg