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up close sliced lemon bar topped with lemon slice

Best Lemon Bars Recipe

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Cool: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 9 bars
Calories: 445kcal
Author: Becky Hardin
These Classic Lemon Bars feature a buttery crust topped with a tangy and sweet lemon filling.
Print Recipe

Ingredients

For the Crust

  • cup all-purpose flour 180 grams
  • ½ cup powdered sugar 57 grams
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter 170 grams, cold (1½ sticks)
  • teaspoon kosher salt

For the Filling

  • cup all-purpose flour 40 grams
  • cups granulated sugar 350 grams
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
  • ¾ cup fresh lemon juice 170 grams, from about 6 lemons
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
  • 3 large eggs 150 grams, room temperature
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar 28 grams, for dusting

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Set aside
  • Mix the crust ingredients together with a pastry cutter or a fork until the dough resembles a light crumble.
    1½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup powdered sugar, 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Press the crust into the prepared baking dish in an even layer
  • Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until it turns a light golden color.
  • Remove and let cool completely.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk the filling ingredients together until smooth.
    1¾ cups granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ¾ cup fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons lemon zest, 3 large eggs, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • Pour it onto the crust and bake for 25 more minutes.
  • Remove and let cool completely before refrigerating for 2 hours.
  • Before slicing, sift the powdered sugar over the uncut bars.
    ¼ cup powdered sugar
  • Cut into 9 equal pieces and serve.

Notes

  • Use a preheated oven.
  • When measuring your flour for these bars, be sure to spoon it into the measuring cup and level it off with the back of a knife.
  • Bake until the square turns golden brown.
  • For a flavor twist, top with some berries or fresh mint.
  • The powdered sugar will dissolve into the bars the longer they sit. For best presentation, powder just before serving.
Storage: Store lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar | Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 49g | Vitamin A: 558IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 2mg