These simple 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 all my favourite desserts. I shared a recipe for vegan lemon bars in my second cookbook, however I’ve by no means shared a basic lemon bars recipe till now. I’m so excited to lastly change that!
This recipe involves you after a lot of testing and tinkering. To me, it has the best 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 season potlucks and picnics. I’ve a sense you gained’t have leftovers. These lemon squares are at all times a success!
Lemon Bars Elements
Right here’s what you’ll must make this simple lemon bars recipe:
- Lemons, after all! ALWAYS use freshly squeezed lemon juice right here. It tastes a lot brisker 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’ll be able to skip it when you 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 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 entire recipe with measurements beneath.
How you can Make Lemon Bars
This simple lemon bars recipe has three fundamental elements:
- 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 smooth dough varieties. It will likely be just a little 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 perimeters.
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. When you’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 new crust and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or till the filling is about.
Then, chill the bars. Allow them to cool for 1 hour at room temperature earlier than transferring them to the fridge to sit back 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. Take pleasure in!
Greatest Lemon Bars Suggestions
- Lemon bars like to stay. While you’re making ready your pan, grease it AND line it with parchment paper on all sides. Lemon bars can very simply persist with the pan. Greasing it properly and totally lining it would allow you to take away the bars earlier than serving.
- Small bubbles may kind on high. It’s a completely regular lemon bars incidence! It occurs when air from the egg combination rises to the floor of the bars as they bake. It gained’t have an effect on the style or texture of the bars (and you may simply conceal it with a dusting of powdered sugar). However to attenuate it, attempt 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 after they cool to room temperature for about an hour after which chill for two hours within the fridge. I gained’t inform when you dig in sooner, however your squares could be just a little messy in that case.
How you can 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 essential. Past that, it’s greatest to maintain them refrigerated.
Are you able to freeze lemon bars?
Sure! These lemon squares additionally freeze properly. 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
When you love this recipe, attempt one in all these simple lemon desserts subsequent:
Lemon Bars
Serves 16
These simple lemon bars are one in all my favourite desserts! They’ve a candy and tangy lemon filling and crisp, buttery shortbread crust. I like them with a dusting of powdered sugar on high.
Stop your display 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. Depart an overhang on at the very least 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 varieties. Switch the dough to the ready pan and use your arms to press it evenly over the underside and ⅛-inch up the perimeters.
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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 new crust and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or till the filling is about. It ought to now not jiggle once 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.
