Easy Lemon Squares Cooking Light
Bright, tangy, and irresistibly light, these Easy Lemon Squares are the perfect balance of zesty citrus and delicate sweetness. This Cooking Light-inspired recipe combines a buttery shortbread crust with a silky lemon filling made from freshly squeezed lemon juice and finely grated zest, creating a dessert that’s both refreshing and satisfying. Ready in just 40 minutes with minimal effort, these bars are ideal for a quick treat or an elegant addition to any gathering. Topped with a snowy dusting of powdered sugar, they’re as beautiful as they are delicious. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a beginner, this easy, small-batch recipe will quickly become a favorite for lemon dessert lovers everywhere.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1.25 cups All-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup Powdered sugar
- 0.5 cup Unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 large Eggs
- 3 tablespoons Lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 teaspoon Lemon zest, finely grated
- 0.5 teaspoon Baking powder
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose flour (for filling)
- 2 tablespoons Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easier removal.
In a medium bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Cut in the softened butter using a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Press the crumbly mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and let it cool slightly while preparing the filling.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and eggs until smooth. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Mix until fully combined.
Pour the lemon filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggly in the center.
Allow the lemon squares to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, dust the top with 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar.
Cut into 12 squares and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2664 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 107.2 g | 137% | |
| Saturated Fat | 64.1 g | 320% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 630 mg | 210% | |
| Sodium | 388 mg | 17% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 406.7 g | 148% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.8 g | 17% | |
| Total Sugars | 275.8 g | ||
| Protein | 30.9 g | 62% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.1 mcg | 10% | |
| Calcium | 108 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 9.5 mg | 53% | |
| Potassium | 389 mg | 8% | |
*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.
