Description
Tangy Lemon Bars are a classic dessert with a buttery shortbread crust and a bright, citrusy lemon filling that’s both sweet and tart — dusted with powdered sugar for a perfect finish.
Ingredients
Scale
- For the crust:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- For the filling:
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 large eggs
- 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, cream together softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar. Mix in flour and salt until a crumbly dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
- Meanwhile, whisk together sugar, flour, eggs, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
- Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust and return to the oven. Bake for an additional 20–25 minutes, or until the filling is set.
- Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Dust with powdered sugar, slice into bars, and serve.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor — bottled juice won’t yield the same brightness.
- Lemon bars can be made a day ahead and stored chilled.
- For cleaner slices, use a warm knife to cut.
- Optional: add a pinch of salt to the filling to enhance the tartness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg