Description
Lemon Zest Dream Bars bring sunshine straight to your dessert plate with a tangy twist that dances across your taste buds. Creamy, bright layers of lemony goodness make these bars the perfect sweet treat to share with friends and family.
Ingredients
Scale
Base:
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Filling:
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest
Topping:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Mix 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs with ½ cup melted butter until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into a 9×13 inch baking pan that has been greased with cooking spray.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F while preparing the filling.
- Whisk 1 can of sweetened condensed milk with ½ cup fresh lemon juice and 2 tablespoons lemon zest until completely smooth.
- Pour the bright yellow lemon filling evenly over your prepared graham cracker crust.
- Bake at 350°F for 22 minutes, ensuring the edges are lightly golden and the center appears set.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours to help them firm up and develop a clean cutting texture.
- Before serving, dust the chilled bars generously with ¼ cup powdered sugar using a fine mesh strainer.
- Slice into 16 square bars using a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
Notes
- Swap graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free cookies for a celiac-friendly version.
- Grate fresh lemon zest directly into the filling for maximum citrus flavor and aromatic intensity.
- Chill the bars completely before cutting to ensure clean, precise edges and neat serving squares.
- Use room temperature ingredients to help create a smoother, more consistent lemon filling that bakes evenly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 226 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 40 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg