Sweet, tangy and so delicious, these lemon bars are the perfect Springtime dessert. Full of fresh flavors, these simple bars are quick and easy to make.
Preheat the oven to 350 F and line the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13 dish with parchment paper.
To make the crust, combine the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Add the softened butter, egg and vanilla extract and fold it several times to make a dough.
Spread the crust over the bottom of the prepared dish and spread it out evenly using by laying a plastic wrap and then spreading it out with a glass/measuring cup.
Bake in the preheated oven for about 18 - 20 minutes or until the edges are just getting lightly browned. Remove from the oven and cool for 20 - 30 minutes or until it’s not hot.
Lemon Curd
To make the lemon filling, whisk the sugar and flour together until well combined. Stir in the eggs, lemon juice & zest, and pinch of salt, and whisk together to combine. Don’t overmix it. The filling will be runny.
Pour the filling on top of the cooled crust and bake for 25 - 28 minutes or until relatively set. Remove from the oven and cool for 20 - 30 minutes on the counter, then refrigerate until cold and firm.
Remove bars from pan and dust with powdered sugar, then cut into squares.
Store lemon bars covered in the refrigerator, they will last 5 - 6 days if there are any leftovers.
NOTES
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled. The flavor is so much more vibrant.
If the eggs are at room temperature they are easier to combine with the other ingredients, but if they are cold it won't affect the taste or texture of these classic lemon bars.
Make sure the baking dish and its sides are lined with parchment paper so you can easily remove it from the dish. Make a cut in each corner so you can fold it and create a perfect corner with no wrinkles.
Make sure that the shortbread crust and filling are fully cooled before moving on with the next steps of the recipe.
These lemon bars are gluten-free, low carb, and keto-friendly if you use gluten-free flour and alternative sweetener.
NUTRITION
Nutrition Facts
Lemon Bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 473Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 10g50%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 123mg41%
Sodium 134mg6%
Potassium 89mg3%
Carbohydrates 74g25%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 51g57%
Protein 6g12%
Vitamin A 593IU12%
Vitamin C 9mg11%
Calcium 24mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword easy lemon bars, how to make lemon bars from scratch, lemon dessert recipe