Description
Bright and tangy lemon bars with a buttery shortbread crust. These easy-to-make bars are bursting with citrus flavor and are a perfect sweet treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup lemon zest (from about 6-8 lemons)
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 3-4 lemons)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides.
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the 2 cups of flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to form the crust dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and the eggs until well combined.
- Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup flour until smooth.
- Pour the lemon filling evenly over the hot baked crust.
- Bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Dust with powdered sugar, if desired. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, you can add an extra tablespoon of lemon zest.
- Ensure your lemons are fresh for the best juice and zest.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting for clean slices.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg