Classic Lemon Bars

Brighten your dessert table with these irresistible Classic Lemon Bars, a timeless treat that perfectly balances zesty lemon tang with buttery sweetness. Featuring a rich, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust and a silky lemon filling made with freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest, these bars are the ultimate combination of tart and sweet. With just 20 minutes of prep and a quick bake, they’re as easy to make as they are delicious. Ideal for any occasion—whether it’s a summer picnic or a holiday gathering—these lemon bars are a crowd-pleaser that packs bold citrus flavor into every bite. Dust them with powdered sugar for a picture-perfect finish and enjoy a dessert that’s as refreshing as it is satisfying. Perfect for lemon lovers, this recipe will quickly become your go-to when you’re craving a classic citrus indulgence!

Nutriscore Rating: 40/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour (for crust)
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar (for filling)
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour (for filling)
• 4 large eggs
• 0.75 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, and vanilla extract.

Step 3

Add 2 cups of flour and the salt to the butter mixture, and stir until a dough forms.

Step 4

Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring it is evenly spread and well-packed.

Step 5

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

Step 6

While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups of granulated sugar and 0.25 cup of flour until well combined.

Step 7

Add the eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the sugar mixture, and whisk until smooth and combined.

Step 8

Once the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the lemon filling over the hot crust.

Step 9

Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly golden on top.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the lemon bars to set properly.

Step 11

Once chilled, use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares.

Step 12

Before serving, dust with powdered sugar for a decorative touch, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1324.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4667.9

Total Fat 215.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 128.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 1260.7mg	0%
Sodium 893.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 648.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 9.3g	0%
Total Sugars 421.0g
Protein 55.8g	0%

Vitamin D 160IU	0%
Calcium 226.2mg	0%
Iron 15.4mg	0%
Potassium 788.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 40.7%

Protein: 4.7%

Carbs: 54.6%