Description
These easy lemon bars feature a perfectly balanced buttery shortbread crust topped with a bright, silky lemon filling that's tart, smooth, and just the right amount of gooey. Simple to make and bursting with sunshine flavor, they are an ideal dessert for any occasion.
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 the oven to 350°F and 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 a pinch of salt. Stir in the all-purpose flour just until the mixture is crumbly and combined without overmixing.
- Pre-bake crust: Press the crust mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for about 15 minutes until lightly golden to set the base.
- Prepare filling: In another medium bowl, whisk together granulated sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Gradually whisk in flour and cornstarch until the mixture is silky and free of lumps.
- Assemble bars: Pour the lemon filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading evenly. Return to the oven and bake for 25 minutes, or until the bars are just set but still have a slight jiggle in the center.
- Cool: Allow the bars to cool to room temperature on a wire rack, then refrigerate for 2 hours to chill and firm up the filling.
- Serve: Before serving, dust the top with powdered sugar and optionally garnish with lemon slices. Slice into 15 bars and enjoy.
Notes
- Do not overmix the crust once adding flour; mix just until combined to keep the texture tender.
- Mix the lemon filling immediately before pouring it over the crust to prevent curdling of eggs.
- Avoid overbaking; the filling should retain a gentle jiggle indicating gooey texture.
- Chilling the bars completely before slicing helps achieve clean, even cuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 265 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
