Easy Lemon Bars
These Easy Lemon Bars are so simple to make and absolutely delicious! They are the perfect treat for any occasion, whether it’s a family gathering, potluck, or just a sweet craving.
Lemon always makes us think of summertime and these lemon bars are no exception. The bright, tangy flavor combined with the buttery crust will transport you to a warm and sunny day with every bite.
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, tangy, and bursting with flavor, these lemon bars are a crowd-pleaser that everyone will adore.
- The recipe is beginner-friendly with easy-to-follow steps, so you don’t need to be a professional baker to enjoy these delights.
- The perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors makes them incredibly satisfying and keeps you coming back for more.
- They’re versatile! Serve them as a dessert, a light snack, or even as a refreshing addition to brunch.
🛒Ingredients
We’ve made this list to help you save time on your next trip to the grocery store. You can find the full amounts needed in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- graham cracker crumbs
- brown sugar
- melted butter
- egg yolks
- sweetened condensed milk
- lemon zest
- vanilla
- salt
- lemon juice
- Powdered sugar
🔪 How to Make Easy Lemon Bars
This is a quick overview of the steps needed to make this recipe. You can find the full instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- In a food processor, grind the graham crackers and brown sugar until they are fine crumbs. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of an 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper. Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove and let cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks, milk, zest, vanilla, and salt. Add the lemon juice and whisk until smooth.
- Pour over the cooled crust and bake for 25-30 minutes until the center is set. Cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving.
🥄 Equipment
This is a list of the equipment that you will need to make this recipe:
- Food processor
- 8×8 baking pan
- large mixing bowl
- zester
🥫 Storage
Storage – We recommend storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing – They can also be frozen for up to 2 months. Just let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Serve With
These delicious and sweet bars go well with a tall glass of milk or a cup of your favorite coffee. However, you can also serve them with your favorite meal, like this Baked BBQ Kielbasa!
💭 Tips
- Make sure your graham cracker crust is evenly pressed into the pan to ensure it bakes evenly and holds together well.
- For the best flavor, always use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled juice—it’s worth the extra effort!
- If you want perfectly clean slices, chill the bars in the refrigerator before cutting them, and use a sharp knife to wipe clean between cuts.
- Don’t skip the parchment paper lining in your pan—it makes removing the bars so much easier and ensures they maintain their shape.
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this easy lemon bars recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
If your crust is falling apart, it’s likely due to not pressing it firmly enough into the pan before baking. Be sure to press the crust tightly and evenly into the pan using the back of a spoon or the bottom of a measuring cup.
Yes! You can substitute the graham crackers with gluten-free graham crackers or another gluten-free cookie of your choice. Just make sure the replacement has a similar texture to maintain the integrity of the crust.
While it’s not strictly necessary, chilling your lemon bars before serving is highly recommended. The flavors intensify in the refrigerator, and the bars set up perfectly for nice, clean slices.
🍽 More Lemon Recipes
Do you enjoy lemon desserts? If so, try these delicious recipes:
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this easy lemon bars recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Easy Lemon Bars
Equipment
- Food processor
- 8×8 baking pan
- large mixing bowl
- zester
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup melted butter
- 6 egg yolks
- 28 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup lemon juice
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a food processor, grind the graham crackers and brown sugar until they are fine crumbs.
- Add the melted butter and pulse until combined.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a 8×8 pan lined with parchment paper.
- Place the pan in the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove and let cool to room temperature.
- In a large bowl, whisk the egg yolks, milk, zest, vanilla and salt.
- Add in the lemon juice, and whisk until smooth.
- Pour over the cooled crust and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the center is set.
- Remove and let it come to room temperature before chilling in the refrigerator for 3 hours.
- Sprinkle the top with powdered sugar and slice and serve.
Disclaimer
Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.
