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A Stack of The Best Lemon Bars
Recipe

Easy Lemon Bars Recipe

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 20-24
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Oven
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Easy Lemon Bars Recipe has the perfect combination of tart and sweet. Made with a vanilla crust and a smooth lemon filling, these are easily the best lemon bars ever!


Ingredients

Crust

  • 2 cups + 2 tbsp (276g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (115g) powdered sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup (224g) unsalted butter, melted

Filling

  • 2 1/2 cups (518g) granulated sugar* 
  • 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
  • 7 large eggs
  • 1 cup (240ml) fresh lemon juice (4-5 lemons)
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13 glass or ceramic pan with baking spray, then line it with parchment paper that sticks up above the long sides of the pan, so that you can remove the bars later for easy cutting. Set pan aside.
  2. To make the crust, combine the flour, powdered sugar and salt in a medium bowl.
  3. Add the melted butter and vanilla extract and stir to combine completely.
  4. Crumble and distribute over the bottom of the pan and press evenly into the bottom so that it’s even.
  5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are just getting lightly browned. Remove from oven and set aside.
  6. To make the filling, combine the sugar and flour. Add the eggs, lemon juice and salt and whisk together to combine. Don’t over mix. 
  7. Pour the filling on top of the hot crust and bake for 18-22 minutes or until the center is set, but still jiggles slightly when you gently jiggle the pan. Remove from the oven and cool on the counter until room temperature, then refrigerate until cold and firm.
  8. Remove bars from pan and dust with powdered sugar, then cut into squares. Bars are best when stored well covered, and they’ll last for 5-6 days.

Notes

Don’t reduce the sugar. It not only adds sweetness (which helps reduce how tart the filling could be), but it also adds moisture. That moisture helps keep these bars from cracking.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 239
  • Sugar: 26.1 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 9.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36.6 g
  • Protein: 3.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 74.6 mg