The BEST Selfmade Lemon Bars


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There’s nothing higher than a buttery shortbread crust topped with a juicy lemon filling and a sprinkling of powder sugar. This traditional recipe for lemon bars is the one one you’ll ever want! It’s happiness in bite-sized items.

Dessert bars are my favourite as a result of they’re really easy to whip up. All it’s important to do is combine the substances collectively and throw them in a pan! They’re so potluck-friendly and nice for feeding a crowd. After you’ve loved a tasty batch of lemon bars, you’ll should strive a few of my different favorites like Neiman Marcus bars, cookie dough bars, and carmelitas!

Top-down view of lemon bars cut into squares.

Finest-Ever Lemon Bars

I LOVE lemon bars, perhaps even borderline obsessive about them! (Actually, lemon desserts on the whole.) I’m at all times the primary to seize them at a celebration. They’re simply so luscious with that buttery shortbread crust and tangy however candy heart. And that completion of powdered sugar? The candy deal with of my goals!

I do know it appears like I’m tooting my very own horn right here, however you’ll not discover a higher lemon bar recipe than this one. I attempted so many variations however wouldn’t cease till the bars met my necessities. The proper buttery shortbread crust with sufficient custardy lemon filling on prime. The ratios should be proper! I can wholeheartedly say, these are every thing you may have ever wished in a lemon bar! Even my lemon-hating husband was a believer after he tried a bit.

All of the Substances You’ll Want

My one tip right here is that it would be best to use contemporary lemons for this recipe, not lemon juice focus. It makes all of the distinction! From there, all you want are a number of easy substances out of your pantry!

  • Butter: I extremely advocate utilizing actual butter as a substitute of margarine for one of the best taste and texture. Deliver it to room temperature earlier than you employ it so it mixes easily with the opposite crust substances.
  • Confectioners’ Sugar: Provides the proper sweetness to the shortbread!
  • Flour: All-purpose flour works nice for giving the crust construction.

For the Lemon Filling:

  • Eggs: Make the filling good and clean and provides it that custard-y impact!
  • Sugar: White sugar helps to stability out the tartness of the lemon juice and zest.
  • Lemon Zest: For some further tangy taste! I used about 2 rinds’ price.
  • Recent Lemon Juice: Once more, contemporary is finest! You will have about 3-4 giant lemons to get sufficient juice, after which you should utilize the peels on your zest.
  • Milk: Provides creaminess to the filling. We’re not attempting to be wholesome right here, so go for complete milk! The excessive fats content material will make the filling further wealthy and decadent.
  • Confectioners’ Sugar: Sufficient to sprinkle the lemon bars with. That further pop of sweetness is the proper completion!

Can I Use Bottled Lemon Juice As an alternative of Recent?

You possibly can, however it’ll change the flavour a bit. I at all times desire contemporary. When substituting lemon focus for actual lemon juice in a recipe, use two tablespoons of bottled lemon juice to switch the juice of one lemon.

Let’s Make Lemon Bars!

The toughest a part of making these lemon bars is ready to eat them. It additionally takes a little bit of effort to juice and zest the lemons, however it’s completely price it. The flavour is simply too good!

  • Preheat: Preheat oven to 350 levels Fahrenheit. Then grease a 9×13 pan and put aside.
  • Beat: In a big mixing bowl, beat butter and confectioners sugar till blended. Then slowly combine in 1 ½ cups flour.
  • Press: Firmly press into the underside of a greased 9×13 pan and bake for 18-20 minutes till golden brown.
  • Filling Combination: Whereas the crust is baking, whisk in a small bowl the eggs, sugar, zest, lemon juice, milk and remaining 3 Tablespoons of flour till frothy. Then pour over the new crust.
  • Bake: Flip the oven all the way down to 325 levels and bake a further 18-20 minutes till the highest is frivolously brown.
  • Cool and Serve: Cool utterly on a wire rack. Then mud the highest with extra confectioners’ sugar. Lower into bars and refrigerate any leftovers.

Juicing Tip:

Lower and quarter your lemons then microwave them for about 30 seconds. This helps the lemons launch extra juice!

4-photo collage of crust mixture and lemon filling being prepared.

Learn how to Choose the Finest Lemons

It could appear difficult, however when you understand what to search for, you’ll be an skilled. Go for deep yellow lemons which are heavy once you maintain them in your arms. The heavier the fruit and thinner the pores and skin, the extra juice it’ll have!

Top-down view of lemon bars in a baking sheet.

Ideas for the Finest Lemon Bars

These are a number of straightforward fixes that may take your lemon bars from good to nice! Belief me, it’s properly well worth the effort. As soon as you are taking a chew of buttery, lemony goodness you’ll be a believer. Retailer-bought lemon bars simply received’t minimize it anymore!

  • Let Your Bars Cool: It’s finest to let your bars cool at room temperature for at the very least two hours. This may assist the filling set and make it simpler to chop into uniform squares.
  • Room Temperature Moist Substances: Use room temperature eggs and butter. They combine up extra simply.
  • Line the Pan: If you’re frightened in regards to the lemon bars not with the ability to come out, use foil or parchment paper to line the underside of the pan.
  • Sift the Powdered Sugar: Use a sifter or sieve to unfold the powdered sugar on prime of the bars. It would cowl them evenly and with out lumps.
  • Zesting Lemons: Wash your lemons completely earlier than zesting. Should you don’t have a zester you should utilize the smallest holes of a cheese grater. You need to cease zesting when you hit the pith or white half as it’s fairly bitter.

Storing Leftovers

With how superb these lemon bars are, leftovers are a rarity! Should you’re fortunate sufficient to have some or making these bars forward of time, right here’s preserve them contemporary:

  • Within the Fridge: Retailer bars in an hermetic container or wrap with plastic wrap. They may keep good for 1 week.
  • Within the Freezer: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to forestall freezer burn and retailer for 2-3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge after which allow them to come to room temperature earlier than serving.

5 lemon bar squares stacked on top of each other.


  • Preheat oven to 350 levels Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 pan and put aside.
  • In a big mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the butter and confectioners’ sugar till blended. Slowly beat in 1 and ½ cups flour.
  • Press into the underside of a greased 13×9 pan and bake for 18-20 minutes till golden brown.

  • Whereas baking, in a small bowl whisk eggs, sugar, zest, lemon juice, milk, and remaining 3 T flour till frothy. Pour over the new crust.
  • Flip oven to 325 levels and bake for a further 18-20 minutes till the highest is frivolously brown. Cool utterly on a wire rack. Mud the highest with extra confectioners’ sugar. Lower into bars and refrigerate leftovers.


Up to date on April 22, 2023
Initially Posted on April 2, 2019

Serves: 12

Energy245kcal (12%)Carbohydrates30g (10%)Protein2g (4%)Fats13g (20%)Saturated Fats8g (40%)Trans Fats1gLdl cholesterol93mg (31%)Sodium128mg (5%)Potassium50mg (1%)Fiber1g (4%)Sugar29g (32%)Vitamin A457IU (9%)Vitamin C6mg (7%)Calcium22mg (2%)Iron1mg (6%)

All dietary info relies on third occasion calculations and is barely an estimate. Every recipe and dietary worth will differ relying on the manufacturers you employ, measuring strategies and portion sizes per family.

Course Dessert

Delicacies American

Key phrase lemon bar recipe, lemon bars, lemon bars recipe



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