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    Home » Recipes » Bars

    Best Lemon Bars

    Published: Mar 20, 2018 · by Kim Lange · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    45.4K shares
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    Best Lemon Bars
    Best Lemon Bars
    Best Lemon Bars
    Best Lemon Bars
    Best Lemon Bars
    Best Lemon Bars
    Best Lemon Bars
    Best Lemon Bars
    Lemon Bars

    These Best Lemon Bars practically "melt-in-your-mouth".  The rich tartness of the gooey lemon curd filling, the sweetness of the powdered sugar, the flaky buttery shortbread crust…*sigh*  

    More lemon bar desserts you'll love are these Blueberry Lemon Bliss Cheesecake Bars and these Lemon Layered Pudding Cheesecake Bars!

    best lemon bars recipe

     3 reasons to Make the Best Lemon Bar Recipe!

    So, I’ve narrowed it down to 3 reasons why to make these bars over and over again!  Because, really, there are just about a ba-jillion reasons why I could go on and on for lemon bars, but I’ll just make it real simple and break it down for you.

    Number 1 Reason:

    “Easy to make!”  Yeah?  Easier than you would think if you've never made them.  Aren’t we always looking for something to taste and impress that’s out of this world?  Like we slaved hour upon hour, when really it was chalked up to only a few minutes here and a few minutes there!

    Number 2 Reason:

    They practically "melt-in-your-mouth".  It’s got the perfect ratio of bursting citrus flavor.  And home-made!!  Like who can beat that?  Made with real dairy butter, fresh eggs, lemon zest and juice.

    Number 3 Reason:

    They are “Popular!!” These popular lemon bars are huge crowd-pleasers for your next gathering this spring or summer!  They are little bites of heaven bursting with fresh lemon flavor!  

    best lemon bars recipe

    There are Literally 2 Steps to Putting These Lemon Bars Together

    1. Making the buttery shortbread crust, which takes just a few short minutes to mix up and press into a pan.  Pop it in the oven and bake away for 15 minutes or so.
    2. While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon layer, which again, takes just a few short minutes and pour it on top of that baked crust after it's baked, and pop it in the oven and let the lemon bar ‘magic’ begin.

    Ingredients You Need

    Shortbread Crust

    • unsalted butter softened
    • granulated sugar
    • all-purpose flour
    • salt

    Lemon Curd Filling

    • eggs 
    • granulated sugar
    • all-purpose flour
    • lemon juice 
    • Optional: lemon zest
    • powdered sugar for dusting

    best lemon bars recipe

    How to Make the Best Lemon Bars 

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and set aside an 8x8 pan sprayed with cooking spray. You can also line with parchment or tin foil and spray with cooking spray.

    Shortbread Crust

    1. With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes on high.
    2. Add flour and salt and mix until the dough comes together.
    3. Press evenly into the prepared sheet pan, building up a ½-inch edge on all sides and bake until it just starts to turn golden brown, 15-20 minutes.

    Lemon Curd Filling

    1. While the crust is baking, in another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. 
    2. Pour lemon curd filling over the crust and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set by touching top of bars and not jiggly.
    3. Let cool to room temperature.and dust with powdered sugar.
    4. Cut lemon bars into squares or triangles and dust tops with powdered sugar. Addictive!!!

    best lemon bars recipe

    the best lemon bars recipe

    Make these for any event, because honestly, these are super yummy and lemon delish bars no one can resist!

    More Bars I’m Crushin’ on!

    • Ina Garten @ Food Network Lemon Bars
    • Etta Soucy @ Taste of Home Lemon Bar Recipe
    • Dib’s @ Food.com Lemon Bar Recipe

    Desserts Bursting with Lemon Sunshine!

    • Lemon Layered Pudding Cheesecake Bars
    • Soft Lemon & Blueberry Explosion Cookies
    • Luscious Lemon Chiffon Pie
    • Lemon Blueberry Explosion Loaf
    • White Chocolate Chip Lemon Cookies
    • Super Soft Lemon Glazed Sugar Cookies
    • Lemon Limoncello Cake Loaf
    Best Lemon Bars

    Best Lemon Bars

    Kim Lange
    The rich tartness of the gooey lemon curd filling, the sweetness of the powdered sugar, the flaky buttery shortbread crust…*sigh* They practically "melt-in-your-mouth".
    3.90 from 40 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 40 mins
    Total Time 55 mins
    Course Dessert
    Servings 9 Bars
    Calories

    Ingredients
      

    Shortbread Crust

    • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
    • ¼ cup white granulated sugar
    • 1 cups all-purpose flour
    • Pinch or two of salt

    Lemon Curd Filling

    • 3 eggs beaten
    • 1 ½ cups white sugar
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ cup lemon juice or 3 large lemons squeezed
    • Optional: 2 tablespoons lemon zest
    • powdered sugar for dusting

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and set aside an 8x8 pan sprayed with cooking spray. You can also line with parchment or tin foil and spray with cooking spray.

    Shortbread Crust

    • With an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy, about 2-3 minutes on high.
      Add flour and salt and mix until the dough comes together.
      Press evenly into the prepared sheet pan, building up a ½-inch edge on all sides and bake until it just starts to turn golden brown, 15-20 minutes.

    Lemon Curd Filling

    • While the crust is baking, in another bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. 
    • Pour lemon curd filling over the crust and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the filling is set by touching top of bars and not jiggly.
    • Let cool to room temperature.and dust with powdered sugar.
    • Cut lemon bars into squares or triangles and dust tops with powdered sugar. Addictive!!!

    Notes

    Double recipe for a 9x13 pan.
    Keyword lemon, lemon bars, lemon curd, lemon desserts
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Recipe from Ina Garten 

     

     

    « Ultimate Banana Cake
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    45.4K shares
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    About Kim Lange

    Hi! I'm Kim! As you may know, I'm cookie, brownie and chocolate obsessed! You'll find hundreds of decadent and healthy dessert recipes to choose from here! So, let's bake something easy and never forget the chocolate!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marie says

      February 25, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      Do they need to be in the fridge till serving the same day?

      • Kim Lange says

        February 25, 2020 at 2:33 pm

        No, you don't have to Marie. They should be fine. Hope you enjoy!

    2. Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says

      February 05, 2020 at 9:15 pm

      Everyone does seem to love lemon bars! They are my husband’s favorite dessert and I have made him a few versions over the years. Now I need to try yours!! Pinning!!

    3. Rachel says

      October 08, 2019 at 2:37 pm

      Do you let the crust cool before putting the lemon filling on? Or do you put the filling on top of the hot crust ( so it would still be kind of soft) and continue baking it the additional time?

    4. Lynn says

      August 14, 2019 at 12:53 pm

      Seriously, lemon bars are just the absolute best. I've made them since 1973. This exact recipe was made by a mother to one of my daughter's classmates in which she brought them to a luncheon for the teachers (I happened to be the librarian at the time). I took one bite and was hooked ever since!! Timeless and classic...soooooo addicting!

      • Kim Lange says

        August 14, 2019 at 6:35 pm

        I have to agree, these lemon bars are definitely timeless and classic and everyone always swoons over them. Thank you so much for your review Lynn and Happy Baking! xo

    5. Lisa says

      April 09, 2019 at 5:19 pm

      I made these today and the crust is very sticky. Is it supposed to be that sticky?

      • Kim Lange says

        April 10, 2019 at 9:04 am

        No, it shouldn't be sticky. Did you get the lemon curd under the crust somehow and then it baked? I've made these lots of times, so I'm not sure?

    6. Connie Pushckor says

      February 07, 2019 at 8:21 pm

      I made these lemon bars and just not enough filing for the amount of crust, if I made then again I would make the filling recipe one & half time.. But other wise I would give a it a 3 star rating
      2 7 2019

    7. Melissa says

      December 02, 2018 at 6:08 pm

      Have you ever frozen these had thawed them later? If so did they hold up ok?

      • Kim Lange says

        December 03, 2018 at 8:16 am

        Sure, just place the bars on a baking sheet in the freezer until the bars freeze all the way through, about two to three hours.

        Wrap each lemon bar in plastic wrap and place them in a sealable freezer bag. Mark the date on the bag and use within one month for best quality. Hope that helps!

    8. Anonymous says

      August 18, 2018 at 10:17 am

      Te recipe turned out great!!! I was just wondering if the lemon bars should be refrigerated?

      • ChocolaTess says

        August 18, 2018 at 10:26 am

        I'm sooo happy they turned out great for you! I refrigerate and bring to room temperature before serving, but you can do room temperature up 2 days or so. Thank you for commenting!

    9. SHERRY says

      July 23, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      I have made these a couple of times and love them! I am wondering if you usually serve chilled or allow them to come to room temperature. I am making them for a party and wonder if I have to chill right up until serving.

      • ChocolaTess says

        July 23, 2018 at 3:33 pm

        Thank you So much for the 5 star rating Sherry! Storage: The lemon bars are best eaten within 24 hours, but may be covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. You can serve them either way actually. If I was serving them I would have them refrigerated and then set them out when you are ready for your party, they will be fine sitting out for several hours, if they last that long! 🙂

    10. maribeth harrington says

      May 27, 2018 at 6:39 pm

      Do you store these in the fridge or at room temp?

    11. Jess says

      April 26, 2018 at 11:41 am

      Do you think I could use coconut oil instead of butter in this recipe ? I can’t do butter anymore .

      • ChocolaTess says

        April 26, 2018 at 5:26 pm

        Yes you could Jess. Make sure it's solid and room temperature, NOT melted. Hope you enjoy and Happy Baking! xo

    12. Kelly @ Kelly Lynns Sweets and Treats says

      March 22, 2018 at 11:33 pm

      Mmmm lemon bars!! These make me scream for Spring time!! Love the shortbread crust too 🙂

    13. Maria | kitchenathoskins says

      March 22, 2018 at 10:34 pm

      That's one perfect looking lemon bar Kim. That filling looks so lemony, soft, gooey and that color is sure to brighten any day!!

    14. divya says

      March 22, 2018 at 9:11 pm

      These lemon bars look so perfect! Such a delicious space you have here:)

      • ChocolaTess says

        March 22, 2018 at 10:56 pm

        How sweet of you Divya! Thank you so much!

    15. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen says

      March 22, 2018 at 10:20 am

      LOVE lemon bars! I was looking at lemon bar recipes just yesterday and wishing I had lemons in the house. But these look good enough to make an extra trip to the grocery store! Yum!

      • ChocolaTess says

        March 22, 2018 at 11:36 am

        Definitely Kelsie! These are seriously yummy! Thanks so much!!

    16. Katherine | Love In My Oven says

      March 21, 2018 at 10:48 pm

      I'm happy to see you're on the lemon train too!! LOOOOVE lemon in desserts! These look so good, Kim. I wouldn't be able to stop eating them!! XO

      • ChocolaTess says

        March 22, 2018 at 9:06 am

        I know what you mean Katherine! Hard to stop once tasted. Trust me on that one! Have a lovely day!!

    17. heather (delicious not gorgeous) says

      March 21, 2018 at 10:46 pm

      AHHH love how lemony these sound! and "walking on sunshine" is forever a great song (: i'll happily have it stuck in my head for the rest of the day!

      • ChocolaTess says

        March 22, 2018 at 9:05 am

        Then you're welcome Heather for the song! hehe!! That's what these bars remind me of! Pure Sunshine! 🙂

    18. Ben|Havocinthekitchen says

      March 21, 2018 at 8:52 pm

      There's nothing better than lemon bars (Well, along with all the chocolate-y and nutty things), and this one looks impeccable. I'll certainly need to try this recipe as I even don't remember when I made/ate it last time.

      • ChocolaTess says

        March 22, 2018 at 9:05 am

        Make it Ben! It's super easy and oooo soo good!! Thank you so much! 🙂 Chocolate and nutty things will never go away!! 🙂

    19. shelley says

      December 23, 2017 at 11:39 am

      Have you tried baking this as a pie?

      • ChocolaTess says

        December 23, 2017 at 1:38 pm

        No I haven't sorry Shelley

    20. Cathy says

      November 18, 2017 at 4:16 pm

      Can these be made a couple of days ahead of time? If yes, should they be stored in the refrigerator?

      • ChocolaTess says

        November 18, 2017 at 5:09 pm

        Hi Cathy! You can store bars tightly covered, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The flavor of the bars improves with refrigeration. Hope that helps! Enjoy!

    21. Lindsey says

      November 07, 2017 at 6:58 pm

      Can I use lemon juice or is it essential that I juice lemons myself?

      • ChocolaTess says

        November 07, 2017 at 7:04 pm

        Hi Lindsey, yes you can use lemon juice in these! 🙂 Enjoy!!

    22. Alex says

      May 17, 2016 at 9:23 pm

      Hey Tess, how many bars does this make?

      • ChocolaTess says

        May 17, 2016 at 10:10 pm

        Hi Alex! Depending on the size, 18 for good sized bars, 36 for bite-sized. Hope that helps Alex! 😉 Enjoy!

    23. ANgel says

      October 01, 2015 at 1:21 pm

      I have made these twice now, both times a hit. The first time the original lemon because I had extra lemons in the fridge. The second time (because I don't really like lemons a lot) I split the recipe in two halves and made one lime and one grapefruit! Both worked beautifully, though I think zest for the grapefruit is more essential for the flavor to shine through.
      Truly the best sour citrus bar recipe I've done.

      • ChocolaTess says

        October 02, 2015 at 11:00 pm

        Awesome Angel! So glad you loved them! 😉

    24. Nancy says

      April 23, 2015 at 2:22 pm

      These are my favorites. For parties I cut them in triangles and put in aluminum fail flattened cupcake liners. Arranged on a tray they look super special.

      • ChocolaTess says

        April 23, 2015 at 9:04 pm

        Hi Nancy! Your party tray sounds so elegant! What a great idea, I love it! Thanks so much for stopping by and letting us know about it. I'm going to have to try that next time. 🙂

    25. jtrogstad says

      April 12, 2015 at 12:55 pm

      I love easy and tasty! I wonder how these would make if using gluten-free ingredients? Only one way to find out about that! I am saving this yummy-looking recipe and trying it out! Thanks for sharing!

      • ChocolaTess says

        April 12, 2015 at 10:22 pm

        I didn't even think of that, but I don't see why you couldn't swap out the ingredients for gluten-free. If you do, email me a pic @ [email protected]. I'd love to see the results! Have a great day! 😉

      • Cindy harpell says

        January 24, 2019 at 2:17 pm

        Made these with gluten free all purpose flour (so I could have a try!).A coworker was saying how she had been craving them - so I delivered! I forgot to take a photo, but they turned out great (I have never made lemon bars before, and I don't think I've ever actually had them..) Will definitely be saving this recipe for the future.

      • Kim Lange says

        January 24, 2019 at 3:04 pm

        Cindy, I'm so glad to hear that! Great idea making them gluten-free and I am craving them now...LOL! Thanks so much for trying the recipe and saving it. 🙂 Happy New Year!

    26. ChocolaTess says

      April 09, 2015 at 7:13 pm

      Teresa, I know what you mean! I can understand why your son loves them! Love them thar lemon bars! 🙂

    27. Teresa says

      April 09, 2015 at 6:06 pm

      I love this recipe, Tess. Mine actually uses powdered sugar in the crust, but otherwise it's about the same. These are my son's FAVORITE goodies. I have to mail him a package of them every year for Christmas! 🙂

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    Hi, I'm Kim! As you may know, I'm cookie, brownie and chocolate obsessed! You'll find hundreds of decadent and healthy dessert recipes to choose from here! So, let's bake something easy and never forget the chocolate!

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