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Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

Classic Lemon Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 23 reviews

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Classic lemon bars deliver a zesty punch of sunshine right onto your dessert plate. Sweet, tangy, and perfectly balanced, these bars will make your taste buds dance with pure citrusy joy.


Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Filling:

  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Leavening:

  • ¼ teaspoon baking powder

Instructions

  1. Combine 1 cup flour, ½ cup softened butter, ¼ cup sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a mixing bowl. Work the ingredients with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  2. Press the crumbly mixture firmly into a greased 8-inch square baking pan, creating an even bottom layer.
  3. Slide the pan into a preheated 350F oven and bake for exactly 15 minutes until the crust turns a delicate golden color.
  4. Crack 2 large eggs into a separate mixing bowl and whisk them together with 1 cup sugar, ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, and ¼ teaspoon baking powder until completely smooth.
  5. Remove the golden crust from the oven and carefully pour the lemony egg mixture over the hot base, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  6. Return the pan to the 350F oven and bake an additional 20 minutes until the top sets and appears slightly firm.
  7. Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and allow the lemon bars to rest at room temperature for at least 1 hour before slicing into neat squares.

Notes

  • Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and even baking.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal and clean cutting of bars.
  • Zest the lemons before juicing to get maximum flavor and make the process more efficient.
  • For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend, which will create a slightly different but delicious texture.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dessert Bars
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 222 kcal
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 94 mg
  • Fat: 11 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg