Indulge in the zesty delight of Deluxe Lemon Bars, a dessert that perfectly balances sweet and tart flavors with a luscious, creamy lemon filling atop a buttery shortbread crust. Made with freshly squeezed lemon juice and vibrant lemon zest, these bars deliver an irresistibly bright citrus punch in every bite. The golden, crumbly crust is baked to perfection before being topped with a smooth lemon custard that sets beautifully in the oven. Finished with a generous dusting of powdered sugar, these classic lemon bars are an easy yet elegant treat, ideal for spring gatherings, summer picnics, or any time you crave a citrusy pick-me-up. With just 20 minutes of prep time and pantry-friendly ingredients like all-purpose flour, butter, and sugar, this recipe is a breeze to whip up. Whether you're entertaining guests or treating yourself, these tangy lemon dessert bars are guaranteed to impress.
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
While the crust bakes, prepare the lemon filling. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups of granulated sugar, 4 large eggs, 2/3 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest until smooth.
Add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder to the lemon mixture, then whisk until fully incorporated.
Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust, spreading it evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-22 minutes, or until the filling is set in the center.
Remove from the oven and let the lemon bars cool completely in the pan, about 1 hour.
Once cool, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Dust the top generously with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar.
Cut into 16 squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Serving size | (1351.1g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 4828.0 |
Total Fat 215.0g | 0% |
Saturated Fat 128.0g | 0% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g | |
Cholesterol 1260.7mg | 0% |
Sodium 545.0mg | 0% |
Total Carbohydrate 700.1g | 0% |
Dietary Fiber 9.0g | 0% |
Total Sugars 478.6g | |
Protein 54.7g | 0% |
Vitamin D 276.7IU | 0% |
Calcium 223.6mg | 0% |
Iron 16.6mg | 0% |
Potassium 794.9mg | 0% |
Source of Calories