Description
Classic lemon bars with a buttery shortbread crust and a bright, silky lemon filling. The crust is perfectly balanced and the lemon layer is tart, smooth, and slightly gooey, making a refreshing and easy-to-make dessert.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Shortbread Crust
- 1 cup softened butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Lemon Filling
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 2 lemons, finely grated zest only
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Garnish
- powdered sugar
- lemon slices (optional)
Instructions
- Prep: Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease removal.
- Mix crust: In a medium bowl, combine softened butter, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in the flour just until the mixture becomes crumbly and fully combined, taking care not to overmix.
- Pre-bake crust: Press the crust mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes until lightly golden and set.
- Prepare filling: Whisk together sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a medium bowl until smooth. Gradually whisk in the flour and cornstarch until fully combined and smooth.
- Assemble bars: Pour the lemon filling evenly over the pre-baked crust. Return to the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the filling is just set with a slight jiggle in the center.
- Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature. After about 2 hours, place the bars in the refrigerator to chill thoroughly.
- Serve: Before serving, dust the bars with powdered sugar and optionally garnish with lemon slices. Slice into 15 bars and enjoy.
Notes
- Do not overmix the crust once flour is added; mix just until combined to keep the texture tender.
- Mix lemon filling right before pouring; letting it sit can cause eggs to curdle.
- Do not overbake the lemon bars; slight jiggle in the center ensures gooey texture.
- Chill thoroughly before slicing for clean, even bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
