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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    August 13, 2020

    Easy Lemon Bars

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    This recipe for Easy Lemon Bars has the perfect ratio of buttery shortbread to tangy lemon filling. Try this lemon bar recipe and you'll never need another!

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    Lemon bars stacked up on a wire rack

    What's the perfect lemon bar look like? To me, there are two very important characteristics of the "perfect lemon bar." First off, the ratio of the crust and the lemon filling needs to be just right. I want to be able to taste the buttery crust but I also want to taste the bright lemony flavor of the filling.

    And second, the texture. The bottom crust needs to be able to hold up the lemon layer. And the filling needs to be soft, but not runny or sticky. Luckily, this recipe meets both of those criteria.

    Where did this recipe come from?

    Wanna know something cool about this recipe? It pretty much fell into my lap. Zach's cousin Colleen and I were talking about the favorites in her recipe box one night. She handed me her favorite handwritten recipe cards and these lemon bars were one of them. It's a recipe that was passed down from her mom.

    Though I never had the privilege to meet her mother, if she was anything like Colleen, she was a very selfless, kind and loving lady - who just happened to make some freakin' awesome lemon bars.

    Lemon bar in a hand with a bit out of it

    What do I need to make these Easy Lemon Bars?

    • Salted butter (or unsalted butter + ¼ teaspoon salt)
    • Flour (for the crust and for the filling)
    • Powdered sugar (for the crust and for dusting the top)
    • Freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon should give you enough)
    • Eggs (I used large eggs)
    • Sugar
    • Baking powder
    Lemon Bars stacked on a wire rack

    How do you make Lemon Bars?

    I titled these Easy Lemon Bars for a reason. They're super quick and easy to put together. The hardest part (for me at least) is waiting for them to cool!

    Make the Crust

    To make the crust, you'll simply combine the three ingredients - flour, powdered sugar and butter. You'll pat this into a greased 9x9 glass baking pan and bake for 15 minutes. While it's baking, make the filling.

    Make the Filling

    Take a lemon and squeeze the lemon juice out. You'll need 2 tablespoons. Combine the lemon juice with the rest of the filling ingredients and pour over the crust. Use a spoon to spread it evenly.

    Bake, Cool and Top

    Bake for an additional 20(ish) minutes. Once they're done, let the cool to room temperature then refrigerate. Dust with powdered sugar, cut and enjoy!

    Lemon bar squares on a wire rack

    Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated?

    Yes. Because the filling is basically a custard, you will want to keep them in the fridge. However, if you have a party and are serving them, they will be fine at room temperature for a couple hours.

    How long do lemon bars stay good?

    At our house, not long because they disappear quickly haha! Ok, but in all seriousness, they'll last up to 1 week in the fridge and up to 3 months in the freezer.

    Desserts for lemon-lovers!

    Love all things "lemon?" These lemon bars and fantastic, but I've also got an incredibly moist Triple Lemon Poke Cake and a Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake. No matter which you go with, I don't think you'll have any regrets! 🙂

    Lemon Bars on a wire rack

    Connect with Dance Around the Kitchen!

    Follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook so you never miss a recipe!! And as always, thank you for following along with my blog, making my recipes, liking and sharing on social media and any other way you support Dance Around the Kitchen!  -Kelsey

    Print the recipe below or PIN IT for later!

    Lemon Bars

    Lemon Bars

    kelsey
    This lemon bar recipe has the perfect ratio of buttery shortbread to tangy lemon filling. Best of all, they're super easy to make!
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    Prevent your screen from going to sleep.
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 50 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Servings 16 bars

    Ingredients
      

    Shortbread Crust

    • ½ c salted butter room temperature
    • 1 c flour
    • ¼ c powdered sugar

    Filling

    • 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 c sugar
    • 2 tablespoon flour
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • powdered sugar for dusting

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9x9" glass baking dish.
    • Combine the butter, flour and powdered sugar; press into the bottom of the pan.
    • Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and make the filling.
    • For the lemon filling, combine the lemon juice, eggs, sugar, flour and baking powder. Whisk until well-combined.
    • Pour the filling over the crust and bake an additional 18-22 minutes.
    • Let cool completely; refrigerate until time to serve.
    • Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
    Keyword Lemon Bars
    Tried this recipe?Follow me at @dancearoundthekitchen.kelsey and let me know how you liked it!

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    about kelsey

    About Kelsey

    Combining my love for food and family is a pretty easy calculation. Almost all family gatherings include food… After all, a party without cake is just a meeting right? Read more...

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    Hi, I'm Kelsey! I am a wife, mother and BFFs with my KitchenAid mixer, happy to bring you easy meals and decadent desserts! Welcome to my blog!

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