Description
These Easy Lemon Bars with a buttery shortbread crust are a perfect combination of tangy lemon filling and a crisp, tender base, making them a delightful and refreshing dessert that’s simple to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
- 8 ounces (2 standard sticks) cold butter, cut into pieces
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Filling
- 6 eggs
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- Zest of one lemon
- 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the crust and lemon bars.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Butter a 9x13x2 inch baking pan or spray it generously with cooking spray. For easier removal, line the pan with parchment paper with edges hanging over the sides, and butter or spray the paper as well.
- Make Shortbread Crust: Place all crust ingredients into a food processor and pulse several times until the mixture is crumbly and combined but does not form a dough.
- Press Crust into Pan: Dump the crumbly crust mixture evenly into the prepared pan and press firmly and evenly to form a compact base.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until it starts to brown slightly around the edges.
- Prepare Filling: While the crust bakes, whisk together all the filling ingredients in a large bowl until thoroughly combined and smooth.
- Pour Filling Over Crust: Once the crust is baked, pour the lemon filling evenly over the hot crust base in the pan.
- Bake Lemon Bars: Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles when gently shaken.
- Cool and Slice: Remove the lemon bars from the oven and allow them to cool to room temperature. For best results, refrigerate overnight to firm up the bars. When ready, run a thin knife around the edges to loosen, then lift out using the parchment overhang, slice as desired and optionally dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to cold butter for the crust to get a tender, flaky texture.
- Using fresh lemon juice and zest adds the best flavor to the filling.
- Line your pan with parchment paper for easy removal and neat slicing.
- Chilling the bars overnight improves slicing and flavor integration.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving for an elegant finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
