Susan's Perfect Lemon Bars

Brighten your dessert table with Susan's Perfect Lemon Bars, the ultimate treat for citrus lovers. These classic squares feature a buttery shortbread crust baked to golden perfection, topped with a zesty, velvety lemon filling bursting with fresh lemon juice and fragrant zest. Dusted with a light snowfall of powdered sugar, they strike the perfect balance between sweet and tangy. With just 15 minutes of prep time and simple ingredients like unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and freshly squeezed lemons, these bars are as easy to make as they are to devour. Perfect for picnics, parties, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these lemon bars are a must-try for anyone craving a refreshing and indulgent treat.

Nutriscore Rating: 34/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 16

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 teaspoon salt
• 1.5 cups granulated sugar (for lemon filling)
• 4 units large eggs
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour (for lemon filling)
• 0.75 cup lemons, juiced
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 0.5 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

Step 3

Gradually mix in 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 0.25 teaspoon of salt until a crumbly dough forms. Do not overmix.

Step 4

Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish to form the crust. Use the back of a spoon or your hands to smooth it out.

Step 5

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden around the edges. Remove from the oven and set aside while you make the filling.

Step 6

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups of granulated sugar and 4 large eggs until the mixture is smooth and slightly frothy.

Step 7

Stir in 0.25 cup of all-purpose flour, 0.75 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon of lemon zest. Mix until fully combined.

Step 8

Pour the lemon filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly to cover.

Step 9

Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20-22 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer wobbly in the middle.

Step 10

Remove the lemon bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan. Once cool, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the dish.

Step 11

Dust the top generously with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar for garnish before cutting into 16 squares.

Step 12

Serve at room temperature or chilled. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1046.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3674.7

Total Fat 212.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 127.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 1260.7mg	0%
Sodium 905.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 440.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 1.4g	0%
Total Sugars 404.7g
Protein 29.9g	0%

Vitamin D 160IU	0%
Calcium 180.3mg	0%
Iron 6.1mg	0%
Potassium 548.2mg	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: 50.4%

Protein: 3.2%

Carbs: 46.4%