There’s something about biting into a cold lemon bar on a sunny afternoon that feels like a mini escape. Bright, tart, buttery, and sweet all at once, these lemon bars taste like pure sunshine. With their golden shortbread crust and creamy lemon filling, they’re a dessert that feels both nostalgic and refreshing.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
You’ll love these lemon bars because they strike that perfect sweet-tart balance. The shortbread crust melts in your mouth, while the zesty lemon layer brings a lively punch of citrus. They’re easy to make, can be prepared ahead, and always impress at bake sales, brunches, or family dinners. Plus, they store beautifully, making them a great make-ahead dessert.
Key Ingredients & Tools
Essential Ingredients
- Flour gives structure to both crust and filling.
- Butter adds richness and that crumbly shortbread texture.
- Sugar sweetens and balances the lemon’s tang.
- Eggs create the smooth, custard-like lemon layer.
- Fresh lemon juice and zest are the heart of this dessert. Avoid bottled juice—it lacks the brightness that makes these bars irresistible.
Recommended Tools
Use a 9×13-inch pan, zester, whisk, and parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect edges.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Lemon Bars
Prepare the Shortbread Crust
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Mix flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Then pour in melted butter and stir until a soft dough forms.
Press evenly into your parchment-lined pan. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until lightly golden and set.
Make the Lemon Filling
While the crust bakes, pulse sugar and lemon zest in a food processor until fragrant. The zest infuses the sugar, making it bright yellow and full of flavor.
Whisk in flour, then add eggs and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and silky.
Bake, Cool & Set
Pour the lemon filling over the warm crust and bake for about 25 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through for even baking.
The center should have a slight jiggle when done. Cool at room temperature for an hour, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Cutting & Serving Cleanly
Once chilled, dust the top with powdered sugar.
Use a sharp, damp knife to cut. Wipe the blade clean between each slice for neat, bakery-style bars.
Pro Tips for Perfect Lemon Bars
Always line your baking pan with parchment for easy removal.
A slight jiggle in the center means it’s just right—it’ll set as it cools.
Don’t rush the chill time. The filling firms up beautifully once cold.
Freeze extras on a tray, wrap individually, and store for up to 3 months.
For bright flavor, always use fresh lemon juice.
Storage & Make-Ahead Guide
Room Temperature vs Refrigeration
Lemon bars keep well at room temperature for a few hours, but they stay fresher and firmer when refrigerated. If serving outdoors, keep them chilled until ready to serve.
Freezing Instructions
To freeze, cut the bars first. Lay them on a tray until solid, then wrap each one tightly. Store in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
FAQ
What is a lemon bar made of?
Lemon bars are made with a buttery shortbread crust and a smooth lemon custard filling. They’re topped with powdered sugar for extra sweetness.
How long do lemon bars last?
They stay fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge. You can also freeze them for longer storage.
How many calories are in a lemon bar?
Each bar contains around 385 calories, depending on the size of your cut.
How long to set lemon bars?
Let them set for at least 3 hours total—1 hour at room temperature, plus 2 hours in the fridge.
Lemon Bars (Recipe Card)
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Lemon Bars Recipe | Simple, Bright & Delicious Dessert
- Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 15 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Bright and tangy lemon bars with a buttery shortbread crust and a silky lemon custard layer. Clean slices, big citrus flavor, and fridge friendly.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour (360g), divided: 2½ cups for crust, ½ cup for filling
⅔ cup powdered sugar (66g), plus more for dusting
½ tsp salt
12 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (170g)
3 tbsp lemon zest (zest of 3 lemons)
3 cups sugar (600g)
8 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup fresh lemon juice (240 mL)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch pan with parchment.
2. Mix 2½ cups flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Stir in melted butter until a soft dough forms.
3. Press dough evenly into pan. Bake 20 minutes until lightly golden.
4. Meanwhile, pulse sugar and lemon zest until fragrant and yellow, or mix in a bowl.
5. Whisk lemon sugar with ½ cup flour until combined.
6. Add eggs and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth and silky.
7. Pour filling over the warm crust. Bake about 25 minutes at 350°F, rotating halfway.
8. Cool at room temperature for 1 hour, then chill 2 hours until set.
9. Dust with powdered sugar. Cut with a sharp damp knife, wiping between cuts.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice for the brightest flavor.
Line the pan with parchment for easy lift-out.
A slight jiggle in the center is okay. It will finish setting as it cools.
Do not skip the chill time. It gives clean, sharp slices.
Make ahead tip: freeze bars on a tray, wrap each one, and store up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge.
For neat slices, score the top if sticky and clean the knife after each cut.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, British, English
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 46g
- Sodium: 113mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 66g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 111mg
More Such Recipes
If you love citrus desserts, try my Magic Lemon Cobbler – a warm and gooey citrus dessert.
You might also like Lemon Brownies with a tangy glaze or Zesty Lemon Truffles for citrus lovers.
And if you’re in the mood for something rich and seasonal, check out The Best Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars for fall gatherings.
Final Thoughts
There’s comfort in the simplicity of lemon bars. They remind us that joy can come from just a few honest ingredients—flour, sugar, butter, and lemons. Serve them chilled on a summer day or pack them into lunchboxes for a surprise treat. However you enjoy them, these bars always bring a smile.
You can also follow my kitchen adventures and find more dessert ideas on Pinterest or connect with our cooking community on Facebook.