These straightforward lemon bars are a scrumptious candy and tangy deal with! They’ve a shiny, creamy lemon curd filling and a crisp shortbread crust.
Who else loves lemon bars?! It in all probability comes as no shock that these shiny, zesty squares are one in every of my favourite desserts. I shared a recipe for vegan lemon bars in my second cookbook, however I’ve by no means shared a traditional lemon bars recipe till now. I’m so excited to lastly change that!
This recipe involves you after a number of testing and tinkering. To me, it has the perfect ratio of lemon filling to shortbread crust. The lemon curd layer is thick, creamy, and never too candy, delivering the tartness I crave in a lemon bar. The buttery crust is crisp but delicate—it virtually melts in your mouth.
This lemon bars recipe is simple to make. Bake it for a candy deal with anytime, or convey it to spring and summer time potlucks and picnics. I’ve a sense you received’t have leftovers. These lemon squares are all the time a success!
Lemon Bars Elements
Right here’s what you’ll must make this straightforward lemon bars recipe:
- Lemons, after all! ALWAYS use freshly squeezed lemon juice right here. It tastes a lot more energizing and brighter than lemon juice from a bottle. I additionally like so as to add lemon zest to those bars for a stronger lemon taste, although you may skip it if you happen to don’t like its texture within the lemon curd.
- All-purpose flour – You’ll use some to make the crust and extra to thicken the filling.
- Powdered sugar – Aka confectioner’s sugar. It sweetens the crust and perfects its tender texture. Mud extra powdered sugar over the bars earlier than serving.
- Unsalted butter – For the crust. I really like its wealthy taste in these bars.
- Vanilla extract – It provides heat depth of taste to the crust.
- Eggs – They offer the filling its creamy texture.
- Granulated sugar – It sweetens the tangy filling.
- And sea salt – To make all of the flavors pop!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements under.
Tips on how to Make Lemon Bars
This straightforward lemon bars recipe has three predominant components:
- Making the crust
- Making the lemon filling and baking the bars
- Chilling
Begin by making the crust. In a big bowl, whisk collectively the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla and use a spatula to combine till a tender dough types. Will probably be a little bit greasy. That’s okay!
Switch the dough to an 8×8-inch pan lined with parchment paper on all sides. Use your fingers to press the dough evenly over the underside and 1/8-inch up the edges.
Par-bake the crust in a 350°F oven till it’s flippantly browned, 18 to twenty minutes. Dock the baked crust with a fork to launch any air bubbles.
In the meantime, make the filling. Place the sugar in a big bowl. For those who’re utilizing the lemon zest, use your fingers to therapeutic massage it into the sugar. This helps it releases its aromatic oils, which makes the bars extra-lemony!
Add the flour and whisk to mix. Then, whisk within the eggs adopted by the lemon juice. Whisk simply till no streaks of egg white stay.
Pour the filling over the recent crust and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or till the filling is ready.
Then, chill the bars. Allow them to cool for 1 hour at room temperature earlier than transferring them to the fridge to relax for two hours. This time permits the filling to arrange totally and makes the bars simpler to slice.
Lastly, slice the bars. Mud them with powdered sugar earlier than serving. Get pleasure from!
Finest Lemon Bars Ideas
- Lemon bars like to stay. If you’re making ready your pan, grease it AND line it with parchment paper on all sides. Lemon bars can very simply stick with the pan. Greasing it effectively and totally lining it would aid you take away the bars earlier than serving.
- Small bubbles would possibly kind on high. It’s a very regular lemon bars prevalence! It occurs when air from the egg combination rises to the floor of the bars as they bake. It received’t have an effect on the style or texture of the bars (and you’ll simply conceal it with a dusting of powdered sugar). However to reduce it, strive to not overmix the filling, as whisking provides air to the lemon combination.
- Allow them to cool (and chill). The toughest a part of this lemon bars recipe is ready to eat them! They slice most cleanly once they cool to room temperature for about an hour after which chill for two hours within the fridge. I received’t inform if you happen to dig in sooner, however your squares is likely to be a little bit messy in that case.
Tips on how to Retailer
Retailer lemon bars in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 5 days. They’ll sit at room temperature for about 2 hours if mandatory. Past that, it’s greatest to maintain them refrigerated.
Are you able to freeze lemon bars?
Sure! These lemon squares additionally freeze effectively. Seal them in an hermetic container or bag and freeze for as much as 3 months. Enable them to thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than serving.
Extra Favourite Lemon Desserts
For those who love this recipe, strive one in every of these straightforward lemon desserts subsequent:
Lemon Bars
Serves 16
These straightforward lemon bars are one in every of my favourite desserts! They’ve a candy and tangy lemon filling and crisp, buttery shortbread crust. I really like them with a dusting of powdered sugar on high.
Forestall your display screen from going darkish
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper on all sides. Go away an overhang on no less than two sides of the pan that can assist you take away the bars after baking.
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Make the shortbread crust: In a big bowl, whisk collectively the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the melted butter and vanilla and use a spatula to combine till a greasy dough types. Switch the dough to the ready pan and use your arms to press it evenly over the underside and ⅛-inch up the edges.
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Bake the crust for 18 to twenty minutes, or till flippantly browned across the edges. Take away from the oven and dock with a fork.
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In the meantime, make the lemon filling: Place the sugar in a big bowl. If utilizing the lemon zest, add it to the bowl and use your fingers to work it into the sugar to launch its aromatic oils.
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Add the flour and whisk to mix, then whisk within the eggs adopted by the lemon juice.
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Pour over the recent crust and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or till the filling is ready. It ought to not jiggle while you gently shake the pan.
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Take away from the oven and let cool for 1 hour at room temperature. Switch to the fridge and chill for an additional 2 hours.
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Mud the chilled bars with powdered sugar, slice, and serve.
