Easy Lemon Bars Recipe
A sunny, refreshing dessert with a buttery crust and tangy lemon filling that brightens any day with its citrusy zest—these Easy Lemon Bars are a delightful way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Servings: 12 bars
Calories: 412kcal
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar plus more for dusting
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 12 tbsp unsalted butter 1 1/2 sticks, cubed
- 2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice 4-5 large lemons
- 4 large eggs
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line with parchment or foil and butter a 9x13-inch baking dish, then set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, powdered sugar, brown sugar, and salt. Add cubed butter and blend (using a pastry blender) until the mixture begins to form pea-size crumbles. You can also do this in a food processor if you have one. Firmly press the mixture into an even layer on the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of the prepared baking dish, making sure there are no cracks in the crust. Place in the oven and bake until lightly golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, and salt. Slowly incorporate the lemon zest, lemon juice, eggs, egg yolks, heavy cream, and vanilla (if using). Whisk vigorously until smooth—the mixture may be slightly foamy, which is fine. Pour over the hot crust, reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (165 degrees Celsius), and return to the oven. Bake until the lemon filling is set, about 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 1 hour, then place uncovered in the refrigerator to chill for 2-3 hours before dusting with powdered sugar, cutting, and serving.
Notes
-You can replace 1/4 cup of lemon juice with orange juice, lime juice, strawberry purée, or raspberry purée!
To STORE your Lemon Squares, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days to maintain freshness. For longer storage, you can FREEZE the bars for 3-4 months. First, cut the bars, then place them on a baking sheet and freeze uncovered for about 1 hour to fully set. After that, wrap each bar in plastic wrap and place them in a large freezer-safe bag.
When ready to enjoy, thaw them in the fridge and dust them with powdered sugar before serving. These homemade bars can be served chilled or at room temperature, depending on your preference.
Nutrition
Serving: 12serving | Calories: 412kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 139mg | Sodium: 150mg | Potassium: 88mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 568IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg
