These creamy lemon bars are soft, tangy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious. With a thick buttery crust and a smooth lemon custard topping, they’re the perfect balance of sweet and citrusy. Ideal for parties, holidays, or a cozy afternoon treat.
🕒 Prep & Cook Time
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Bake time: 40–45 minutes
- Chill time: 1 hour
- Total time: ~2 hours
🧾 Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ tsp salt
For the Lemon Filling
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ tsp salt
Optional Topping
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
- Preheat oven to 175°C / 350°F.
- Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, salt, and melted butter.
- Press the mixture firmly into the pan.
- Bake for 15–18 minutes, until lightly golden.
2. Make the Lemon Filling
- In another bowl, whisk sugar and eggs until smooth.
- Add lemon juice, lemon zest, flour, and salt.
- Mix until fully combined and creamy.
3. Bake the Lemon Bars
- Pour the lemon mixture over the warm crust.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, until the center is set.
- Let cool at room temperature, then refrigerate 1 hour.
4. Slice & Serve
- Lift out using parchment paper
- Cut into squares
- Dust with powdered sugar (optional)
✨ Tips for Perfect Lemon Bars
- Always use fresh lemon juice (not bottled)
- Chill before cutting for clean, sharp edges
- Wipe knife between cuts for bakery-style slices
🧊 Storage
- Refrigerator: up to 5 days (airtight container)
- Freezer: up to 2 months
💛 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Easy & beginner-friendly
✔ Bright lemon flavor
✔ Creamy texture
✔ Perfect for Pinterest & food blogs