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5.0 from 9 votes

Lemon Bars Recipe

If you're looking for the best Lemon Bars recipe, this one is it. Buttery shortbread crust with a sweet and tangy lemon filling!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 223 kcal
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the crust:
  • ½ cup unsalted butter cold
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar
For the filling:
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest about 1 lemon worth
For the topping:
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar plus extra for dusting
  • 1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Line an 8 x 8 inch (or 9" square pan) with foil or parchment paper. Set aside.
  2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, cut together the cold butter, all-purpose flour, and powdered sugar. Mixture may be crumbly. Press into bottom of prepared baking dish.
  4. Bake crust in oven for about 15 minutes. 
  5. While crust is baking, make the lemon filling. Combine granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
  6. Remove crust from oven and immediately pour mixture over the baked crust. Return baking pan to oven for an additional 20 minutes, or until edges are golden brown.
  7. Remove bars from oven. To make glaze, whisk together powdered sugar with lemon juice. Drizzle over warm bars. Cool completely then refrigerate for about 2 hours.
  8. When chilled, remove from pan by lifting the foil (or parchment) and cut into squares. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use real lemons for the lemon juice. Bottle lemon juice doesn't have the same fresh flavor!
  • Chill your lemon bars. For best results, lemon bars have an enhanced lemon flavor when chilled, plus it let's them firm up some so they are easier to cut.
  • Speaking of cutting, the filling in lemon bars can be a little finicky when cutting. If you want PERFECT lemon squares, pop the bars in the freezer for half an hour before slicing.
  • Help! My powdered sugar has absorbed into my lemon bars. No fear. This happens. First, wait until the bars have cooled and chilled before adding your powdered sugar. It's best to sprinkle generously right before serving. But, if it absorbs again, just add more powdered sugar, you can't go wrong!
  • See blog post for more recipt tips and tricks.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bar Calories 223kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 51mg (17%) Sodium 35mg (1%) Sugar 26g (52%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 223

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bar
Calories 223kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Sodium 35mg 1%
Sugar 26g 52%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.