Lemon Bars
These homemade Lemon Bars are sweet, tangy, and filled with the flavor of summer. They’re the perfect dessert for the spring and summer months.
The first sweet treat we make when spring shows itself after a long winter is this delicious lemon bars recipe. They’re just so perfect for the warm weather. They’re like eating a sweet bite of the summer sun. We’ll bring this to any event we’re invited to, and we frequently keep them on hand for snacking when the mood hits.
Lemon Bars
Lemon bars are a classic spring and summer dessert that everyone always seems to love. The sweet, tangy, and zest lemon mixture spread over that buttery crust is like eating the summer weather. This recipe is super easy to make and it’s so overflowing with summery flavor, you may not want to share them!
Lemon Bars Ingredients
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make this delicious recipe. You’ll find them all easily at your local grocery store.
For the Crust
- Softened butter
- Flour
- Powdered sugar
For the Filling
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Lemon juice
- Flour
- Baking Powder
For the Top
- Powdered sugar
**See the recipe card at the end of the post for quantities.
Lemon Bars Instructions
If you thought the ingredient list was easy, just wait until you see how simple it is to make these tasty bars of pure sunshine.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Set out your butter to soften.
Step 2: Make the Crust
Mix the flour and powdered sugar in a large bowl and mix well. Then, cut in the softened butter using a pastry cutter until pea-sized pieces form. Press the crust evenly into a 9 x 13 dish evenly with the back of a spoon or your fingers and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until just golden brown. Remove it from the oven and let it cool.
Step 3: Make the Filling
Mix the eggs and sugar in a large bowl. Then, add the lemon juice and stir until well-mixed. Combine the flour and baking powder in a small bowl, then add it to the egg mixture and stir until well-blended.
Step 4: Bake
Pour the lemon mixture over the crust and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack. When it’s fully cooled, top it with powdered sugar, cut it into 2×2 squares, and enjoy!
Hint: Soften your butter, don’t melt it. You need to get those pea-sized crumbles to make a great crust.
Equipment
You’ll only need a few simple kitchen implements to make this recipe.
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Whisk
- Bowls
- Baking dish
- Cooling rack
Lemon Bars Tips
This is an exceptionally easy recipe, but we do have a couple of tips to help ensure you make the best lemon bars possible.
Soften, Don’t Melt: Soften the butter, don’t melt it. You won’t get the right texture for the crust with melted butter.
Let the Dish Cool: It’s important to let the dish cool completely before slicing so you get pretty slices and not a mess.
PIN IT!!
Storage
You can store these in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
More Lemon Recipes
If you like lemon, then get ready for some more sweet and zingy recipes.
Lemon Bars FAQ
If you have questions about these lemon bars, then we’ve got answers. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.
When did lemon bars originate?
The first widely published lemon bar recipe appeared in the Chicago Daily Tribune in 1962, but mentions of them were already in community cookbooks or small local newspapers.
What are lemon bars?
They are a dessert consisting of a simple crust and topped with a lemon curd filling.
What should lemon bars look like when done?
You’ll know they’re done when the edges begin turning golden brown and the filling is set and no longer jiggly in the center.
How long are lemon bars good?
They’ll last for about 7 days in the refrigerator in an air-tight container.
Give These Lemon Bars a Try
These homemade lemon bars are full of flavor and fully from scratch, but they’re not full of work. The crust and the filling are both incredibly simple to make. You’ll be in and out of the kitchen in no time. Give this recipe a try, and we know you’ll love it as much as we do.
MORE RECIPES YOU WILL LOVE:
Amish Sugar Cookies
Easy No-Bake Cherry Cheesecake
Snickers Poke Cake Recipe
Reese’s Cheesecake Brownie Bars
Lemon Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup Butter – softened
- 2 cups Flour
- ½ cup Powdered Sugar
For the Filling:
- 4 Eggs
- 2 cups Sugar
- ⅓ cup Lemon Juice
- ¼ cup All-Purpose Flour
- 1 tsp. Baking Powder
Topping:
- ½ cup Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl, place the Flour and Powdered Sugar, and mix well. Add the softened Butter (Not melted – softened), and using a Pastry Cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it's well blended, and pea size particles have formed.
- Pour the mixture into a 9 X 13 dish, and evenly press the mixture in the dish with the back of a spoon, or your fingers. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until just golden brown. Remove from the oven.
- While the crust is cooling a little, make the filling – In a large bowl, add the Eggs, and Sugar, and mix well to blend. Add the Lemon Juice, and stir until well mixed.
- In a small bowl, sift together the Flour, and Baking Powder, and add to the Egg mixture, and stir until well blended.
- Pour over the baked crust, and place the dish back in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
- When the filling is done, remove the dish from the oven, and cool on a wire rack. When completely cool, sprinkle it with Powdered Sugar.
- Cut in 2 X 2 inch squares, serve, and Enjoy!
