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Lemon Cookie Bars

Lemon cookie bars recipe makes tender lemon sugar cookie bars topped with buttery lemon frosting!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 371 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Lemon Cookie Bars
  • 1 cup salted butter room temperature
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar packed
  • Zest from 1 lemon about 2 teaspoons
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups sifted all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Lemon Frosting
  • 1 cup salted butter at room temperature
  • Zest from 1 lemon about 2 teaspoons
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • For decorating: Additional lemon zest and lemon slices

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch metal baking pan and line with parchment paper for easy removal.
  2. To make the lemon cookie bars, beat butter, sugar, brown sugar, and lemon zest together until fluffy and well combined in a stand mixer with the paddle attachment.
  3. Add egg and egg yolks. Beat until eggs are well incorporated, about 2 to 3 minutes.
  4. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla.
  5. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix in until just combined.
  6. Add cookie batter to the prepared pan in an even layer.
  7. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown.
  8. Let the bars cool in the pan until they reach room temperature.
  9. To prepare the frosting, beat butter until light and fluffy.
  10. Add lemon zest, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix until combined.
  11. Stir in vanilla extract and lemon juice.
  12. Add milk (or heavy cream) until the frosting is spreadable and reaches your desired consistency.
  13. Spread frosting on top of the cooled cookie bars.
  14. Decorate with additional lemon zest and lemon slices.

Notes

  • Butter: If using unsalted butter, increase the salt in the bars by 1/2 teaspoon and the frosting by 1/4 teaspoon.
  • Lemon juice: It's important to use fresh lemon juice as bottled lemon juice can have an off taste to it.
  • Flour: Weighing the flour is the most accurate method of measurement (click "metric" just above the ingredients for the weights). If not weighing the flour, sift it, lightly spoon into the measuring cup, and level. Avoid packing the flour as that will give you dry, crumbly bars.
  • Kosher salt: Sea salt works well as a substitute. If you don't have kosher salt or sea salt, use half the amount of table salt.
  • Milk: Using heavy cream will give you the lightest, fluffiest frosting.
  • Nutrition values are estimates. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1bar Calories 371kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 48g (16%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 77mg (26%) Sodium 211mg (9%) Potassium 59mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 33g (66%) Vitamin A 608IU (12%) Vitamin C 0.5mg (1%) Calcium 25mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 371

% Daily Value*

Serving 1bar
Calories 371kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 48g 16%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 77mg 26%
Sodium 211mg 9%
Potassium 59mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 33g 66%
Vitamin A 608IU 12%
Vitamin C 0.5mg 1%
Calcium 25mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

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