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This delicious and Easy Lemon Bars Recipe is so simple to make and they turn out absolutely perfect. You get the perfect balance of sweet and tangy for the best lemon flavor. The powdered sugar on top makes it even better.
Lemon flavored desserts are my favorite dessert recipes. They are perfect for our summertime picnics and for bake sales. The light and refreshing lemon flavor is always a crowd favorite.
We even make these Lemon Brownies and Lemon Blueberry Muffins for the holidays. The tangy flavor and simple ingredients makes these lemon desserts perfect for any occasion.
What's in this post: Easy Lemon Bars Recipe
Why Make This Recipe:
I just made these the other day and my mouth is watering again just thinking about this delicious Lemon Bars recipe! Now, you might have noticed the crisper crust on these bars.
I really like it – crisp top, lemony center, shortbread crust! The combination of the crust and the lemon filling layer makes the perfect dessert.
Ingredients:
Crust Ingredients:
- Powdered Sugar
- Room Temperature Butter
- All Purpose Flour
Filling Ingredients:
- Granulated Sugar
- Large Eggs
- Fresh Lemon Juice
- Lemon Extract
- Baking Powder
For the full list of ingredients and recipe, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe.
Variations Ideas:
- Crust – You can easily make this crust with a graham cracker crust or a Buttery Shortbread Crust.
- Topping – When serving the lemon bars top with cool whip and lemon zest for amazing flavor.
Step by Step Instructions:
- Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. I also like to line the baking pan with foil and spray it with non stick cooking spray. This makes removing from the pan and cutting it so much easier.
- Step 2 – Now it is time to start making the crust. Cream the powdered sugar and melted butter together in medium bowl.
- Step 3 – Slowly add the the flour in increments until fully mixed. The dough will be thick but that is normal.
- Step 4 – Dump the dough in the prepared baking pan and spread evenly. The dough isn’t very sticky, so you can just use your fingers to spread the dough out.
- Step 5 – Bake until it starts to brown slightly on the edges. Do not let the top brown at all.
- Step 6 – While the crust is baking, mix the filling together.
- Step 7 – Mix the granulated sugar, eggs, lemon juice and extract all together with the mixer. Sprinkle baking powder into filling and mix until just blended. You do not want to over mix.
- Step 8 – As soon as you remove the crust from the oven, pour the lemon filling on top of the crust.
- Step 9 – Bake until the top is no longer “jiggly”. Once the top starts to brown a little, it is time to take it out.
- Step 10 – Let the bars cool completely. Remove the lemon bars from the pan and cut into squares. Serve and Enjoy!
Recipe Tips:
- Prepare Baking Dish – Prepare the baking dish by lining with aluminum foil or parchment paper. This helps to easily remove the bars from the baking dish.
- Baking Crust – When baking the crust do not over bake. You do not want the top to be brown.
- Combining Ingredients – Combine the ingredients until mixed together. Make sure to not over mix the lemon filling mixture.
- Baking Lemon Bars – Bake the lemon bars until the center is almost set. Once the edges start to brown then remove from the oven. Then lemon bars will continue to cook after removing from the oven.
How To Cut Lemon Bars:
After the lemon bars have cooled on a wire rack, they are ready to slice and serve. Remove the entire lemon bars from the baking dish with the parchment paper and foil.
Place on a cutting board and slice with a sharp knife. This makes it easy to slice the bars the size you prefer. If I am serving to a large crowd, I like to cut in small pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Lemon bars are fine to leave out at a party and such for a few hours. However, they do need to be refrigerated if you have leftovers or plan to serve them later. These are best served within a day or two of baking.
Yes, you can. However, I would recommend not adding the powdered sugar until ready to serve. Just cut the bars and freeze in a single layer in a freezer container or zip lock bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw and add the confectioners sugar.
More Lemon Desserts
- Lemon Brownies Recipe
- Easy Lemon Bars Recipe
- Easy Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe
- Lemon Angel Food Cake
We love hearing from you. If you make these lemon bars, please leave a comment or a star review.
Lemon Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- Crust:
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup 2 sticks butter, softened
- 2 cups flour
- Filling:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F. Line a 9″x13″ pan with foil and spray with non stick cooking spray (this make removing from the pan and cutting SO much easier).
- For the crust – cream the powdered sugar and softened butter together. Slowly add flour, ½ cup at a time, until fully integrated. The dough will be thick.
- Dump dough into prepared pan and spread evenly along the bottom of the pan. The dough isn’t very sticky, so I just used my fingers to spread the dough out.
- Bake in 350 F oven for 15-20. When it starts to brown ever so slightly on the edges, you know its done. Do not let the top brown at all.
- While the crust is baking, mix together the filling.
- Mix granulated sugar, eggs, lemon juice and extract together with electric mixer. Sprinkle baking powder into filling and mix until just blended (don’t over mix).
- As soon as you remove the crust from the oven, pour the lemon filling on top of the crust.
- Bake for another 15-20 minutes. You will know this is done when the top is no longer “jiggly”. Once the top starts to brown a little, its time to take it out.
- Let cool completely. Remove the Lemon Bars from the pan and cut into squares. These are best served within a day or two of baking.
