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Lemon Heaven Bars

These bars are dense and soft and chewy. Loaded with fresh lemon flavor and covered with a thin, sweet glaze, they are completely irresistible!

Prep Time
25 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Servings: 24 bars
Calories: 199 kcal
Course: Baked Goods
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

for the lemon bars:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups sugar
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • fresh lemon zest from 2 large lemons
  • 1 cup unsalted butter melted and cooled
  • 4 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
for the lemon glaze:
  • 1.5 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • fresh lemon zest from 1 large lemon

Instructions

For the lemon bars:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line a 9" x 13" pan with parchment paper so that two opposite sides have an overhang. This will allow you to lift the bars out once they are cooled, to make clean cuts. If ultra clean cuts are not a big thing for you, simply spray the pan lightly with a non-stick spray. Set pan aside.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add lemon zest (my favorite zester!) and whisk again to separate and coat all the little pieces of zest. Set bowl aside.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla.
  4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until combined. Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The lemon bars should spring back lightly when gently pressed. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
For the lemon glaze:
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together all glaze ingredients until smooth.
  2. Drizzle glaze over top of cooled lemon bars and then use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread glaze evenly over the bars.
  3. Place pan in refrigerator for 2 hours.
  4. Run knife around the perimeter of the pan where there is no parchment paper and then lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper overhangs. Cut into squares. I think these bars are best enjoyed when chilled, but feel free to serve them at room temperature also.

Notes

  • adapted from Rita May and Bakerella.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 199kcal (10%) Carbohydrates 29g (10%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 51mg (17%) Sodium 49mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 20g (40%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24bars

Amount Per Serving

Calories 199

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 199kcal 10%
Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Sodium 49mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 20g 40%

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