Classic Lemon Bars
Indulge in the tangy-sweet perfection of Classic Lemon Bars, a timeless dessert that’s sure to brighten your day. Featuring a buttery shortbread crust made from simple pantry staples, these bars are topped with a luscious, zesty lemon filling that strikes the perfect balance between tart and sweet. Whisked together with freshly squeezed lemon juice and vibrant lemon zest, the filling bakes to golden perfection over the warm crust, creating a dessert that's irresistibly smooth and flavorful. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a handful of ingredients, these lemon bars are as easy to make as they are delightful to eat. Serve them chilled with a dusting of powdered sugar for a touch of elegance—a refreshing treat ideal for any occasion. Perfect for spring gatherings or everyday indulgence, these lemon bars will become your go-to recipe for simple citrus-inspired baking. Keywords: Classic Lemon Bars, lemon desserts, easy citrus dessert, shortbread crust, zesty lemon filling.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar (for crust)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (for crust)
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar (for filling)
- 0.25 cup all-purpose flour (for filling)
- 4 large eggs
- 0.75 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, mix together the melted butter, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, and vanilla extract.
Add 2 cups of flour and the salt to the butter mixture, and stir until a dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring it is evenly spread and well-packed.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a bowl, whisk together 1.5 cups of granulated sugar and 0.25 cup of flour until well combined.
Add the eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the sugar mixture, and whisk until smooth and combined.
Once the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the lemon filling over the hot crust.
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and slightly golden on top.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature. Then, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the lemon bars to set properly.
Once chilled, use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares.
Before serving, dust with powdered sugar for a decorative touch, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4668 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 215.1 g | 276% | |
| Saturated Fat | 128.0 g | 640% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1261 mg | 420% | |
| Sodium | 893 mg | 39% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 648.8 g | 236% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 9.3 g | 33% | |
| Total Sugars | 421.0 g | ||
| Protein | 55.8 g | 112% | |
| Vitamin D | 4.0 mcg | 20% | |
| Calcium | 226 mg | 17% | |
| Iron | 15.4 mg | 86% | |
| Potassium | 788 mg | 17% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
