Description
Homemade lemon bars with shortbread crust offer a tangy-sweet dessert perfect for summer gatherings. Buttery crust and zesty lemon filling create a delightful treat you’ll crave time and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients (Crust):
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Craft a buttery shortbread foundation by blending flour, powdered sugar, and softened butter into a cohesive mixture. Gently press the dough evenly into a prepared baking pan, ensuring a uniform base.
- Slide the crust into a preheated 350°F oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until edges turn a delicate golden hue, creating a crisp and sturdy platform for the zesty topping.
- While the crust bakes, whisk together eggs, granulated sugar, flour, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vibrant lemon zest until the mixture transforms into a smooth, bright filling.
- Immediately after removing the golden crust from the oven, pour the lemony mixture directly over the hot surface, allowing the heat to help integrate the layers.
- Return the pan to the 350°F oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, watching carefully until the filling sets with a gentle wobble and loses its liquid consistency.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the filling firm up and makes cutting easier.
- Once thoroughly cooled, dust the surface generously with powdered sugar, creating a soft, sweet blanket that contrasts beautifully with the tangy lemon filling.
- Slice into precise squares, revealing the layers of buttery crust and bright, citrusy filling, ready to delight any dessert lover.
Notes
- Swap butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version that maintains the rich, buttery texture of the shortbread crust.
- Use Meyer lemons for a sweeter, less tart filling that provides a more delicate citrus flavor compared to standard lemons.
- Chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least an hour before cutting to ensure clean, crisp edges and easier slicing.
- Line the baking dish with parchment paper for effortless removal and a picture-perfect presentation of your lemon bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg