These straightforward lemon bars are a scrumptious candy and tangy deal with! They’ve a vivid, creamy lemon curd filling and a crisp shortbread crust.
Who else loves lemon bars?! It in all probability comes as no shock that these vivid, zesty squares are one among my favourite desserts. I shared a recipe for vegan lemon bars in my second cookbook, however I’ve by no means shared a traditional lemon bars recipe till now. I’m so excited to lastly change that!
This recipe involves you after plenty of testing and tinkering. To me, it has the perfect ratio of lemon filling to shortbread crust. The lemon curd layer is thick, creamy, and never too candy, delivering the tartness I crave in a lemon bar. The buttery crust is crisp but delicate—it virtually melts in your mouth.
This lemon bars recipe is simple to make. Bake it for a candy deal with anytime, or convey it to spring and summer time potlucks and picnics. I’ve a sense you received’t have leftovers. These lemon squares are all the time a success!
Lemon Bars Elements
Right here’s what you’ll have to make this straightforward lemon bars recipe:
- Lemons, after all! ALWAYS use freshly squeezed lemon juice right here. It tastes a lot brisker and brighter than lemon juice from a bottle. I additionally like so as to add lemon zest to those bars for a stronger lemon taste, although you may skip it should you don’t like its texture within the lemon curd.
- All-purpose flour – You’ll use some to make the crust and extra to thicken the filling.
- Powdered sugar – Aka confectioner’s sugar. It sweetens the crust and perfects its tender texture. Mud extra powdered sugar over the bars earlier than serving.
- Unsalted butter – For the crust. I really like its wealthy taste in these bars.
- Vanilla extract – It provides heat depth of taste to the crust.
- Eggs – They offer the filling its creamy texture.
- Granulated sugar – It sweetens the tangy filling.
- And sea salt – To make all of the flavors pop!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements under.
Easy methods to Make Lemon Bars
This straightforward lemon bars recipe has three major elements:
- Making the crust
- Making the lemon filling and baking the bars
- Chilling
Begin by making the crust. In a big bowl, whisk collectively the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla and use a spatula to combine till a delicate dough types. It will likely be a bit of greasy. That’s okay!
Switch the dough to an 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment paper on all sides. Use your fingers to press the dough evenly over the underside and 1/8-inch up the perimeters.
Par-bake the crust in a 350°F oven till it’s flippantly browned, 18 to twenty minutes. Dock the baked crust with a fork to launch any air bubbles.
In the meantime, make the filling. Place the sugar in a big bowl. If you happen to’re utilizing the lemon zest, use your fingers to therapeutic massage it into the sugar. This helps it releases its aromatic oils, which makes the bars extra-lemony!
Add the flour and whisk to mix. Then, whisk within the eggs adopted by the lemon juice. Whisk simply till no streaks of egg white stay.
Pour the filling over the new crust and bake for one more 20 to 25 minutes, or till the filling is about.
Then, chill the bars. Allow them to cool for 1 hour at room temperature earlier than transferring them to the fridge to relax for two hours. This time permits the filling to arrange absolutely and makes the bars simpler to slice.
Lastly, slice the bars. Mud them with powdered sugar earlier than serving. Get pleasure from!
Greatest Lemon Bars Suggestions
- Lemon bars like to stay. While you’re getting ready your pan, grease it AND line it with parchment paper on all sides. Lemon bars can very simply follow the pan. Greasing it nicely and completely lining it’ll aid you take away the bars earlier than serving.
- Small bubbles may kind on prime. It’s a very regular lemon bars incidence! It occurs when air from the egg combination rises to the floor of the bars as they bake. It received’t have an effect on the style or texture of the bars (and you’ll simply cover it with a dusting of powdered sugar). However to reduce it, attempt to not overmix the filling, as whisking provides air to the lemon combination.
- Allow them to cool (and chill). The toughest a part of this lemon bars recipe is ready to eat them! They slice most cleanly after they cool to room temperature for about an hour after which chill for two hours within the fridge. I received’t inform should you dig in sooner, however your squares could be a bit of messy in that case.
Easy methods to Retailer
Retailer lemon bars in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. They will sit at room temperature for about 2 hours if crucial. Past that, it’s greatest to maintain them refrigerated.
Are you able to freeze lemon bars?
Sure! These lemon squares additionally freeze nicely. Seal them in an hermetic container or bag and freeze for as much as 3 months. Enable them to thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than serving.
Extra Favourite Lemon Desserts
If you happen to love this recipe, attempt one among these straightforward lemon desserts subsequent:
Lemon Bars
Serves 16
These straightforward lemon bars are one among my favourite desserts! They’ve a candy and tangy lemon filling and crisp, buttery shortbread crust. I really like them with a dusting of powdered sugar on prime.
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper on all sides. Depart an overhang on at the very least two sides of the pan that will help you take away the bars after baking.
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Make the shortbread crust: In a big bowl, whisk collectively the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla and use a spatula to combine till a greasy dough types. Switch the dough to the ready pan and use your palms to press it evenly over the underside and ⅛-inch up the perimeters.
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Bake the crust for 18 to twenty minutes, or till flippantly browned across the edges. Take away from the oven and dock with a fork.
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In the meantime, make the lemon filling: Place the sugar in a big bowl. If utilizing the lemon zest, add it to the bowl and use your fingers to work it into the sugar to launch its aromatic oils.
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Add the flour and whisk to mix, then whisk within the eggs adopted by the lemon juice.
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Pour over the new crust and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or till the filling is about. It ought to now not jiggle while you gently shake the pan.
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Take away from the oven and let cool for 1 hour at room temperature. Switch to the fridge and chill for one more 2 hours.
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Mud the chilled bars with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.
