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Lemon Bars

Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword easy lemon bars, lemon bars recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Cooling Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 24 bars
Calories 270kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13 baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Large mixing bowl (for the crust)
  • Medium mixing bowl (for the filling)
  • Whisk
  • Pastry cutter (to cut butter into the crust)
  • Citrus zester and juicer (for lemon zest and lemon juice)
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Rubber spatula
  • Knife (for cutting the bars once they are cool)
  • Sifter (for dusting powdered sugar)

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 cup (2 sticks )unsalted cold butter
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Filling

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 5 each large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest about 1-2 lemons
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice about 4-5 lemons
  • 1 pinch salt

Topping

  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment, leaving a little overhang on the sides for easy removal. It makes removal and cleaning up so much easier.
  • Make the crust:
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (You can cut the butter into small cubes to help add into the flour mixture).
  • Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden. Remove from the oven but leave the oven on.
  • Mix the filling:
  • While the crust bakes, whisk together the sugar, flour, and cornstarch in a medium bowl.
  • Add the eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Whisk gently until fully combined but not frothy, this keeps the top smooth and prevents bubbles.
  • Pour the filling over the hot crust and return the pan to the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the center is just set and no longer jiggles when gently shaken.
  • Cool and Chill:
  • Remove from oven, and let the bars cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours before slicing. This ensures clean edges and a firm filling. Wipe the knife between cuts for the cleanest edges.
  • Dust the top lightly with powdered sugar after cutting into squares or bars.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 270kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 117mg | Potassium: 38mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 318IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg