Zesty Lemon Bars
Brighten up your dessert table with these irresistible Zesty Lemon Bars, a perfect balance of tangy and sweet with a melt-in-your-mouth buttery crust. This easy-to-follow recipe combines fresh lemon juice, vibrant lemon zest, and a velvety filling baked atop a golden shortbread base for a citrusy treat that’s pure sunshine. Ready in under an hour with just 15 minutes of prep, these rich, refreshing bars are ideal for any occasion, from picnics to festive gatherings. Finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar, they offer a dazzling presentation and a burst of bold lemon flavor in every bite. Perfect for lemon lovers and anyone seeking a crowd-pleasing dessert, these bars are sure to become a go-to favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 0.5 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- 4 pieces large eggs
- 1.5 cups granulated sugar (for filling)
- 0.25 cup all-purpose flour (for filling)
- 0.75 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for topping)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add 2 cups of flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the butter mixture, and mix until a crumbly dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup flour, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined.
Pour the lemon filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly.
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggly in the center.
Remove the lemon bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan at room temperature.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the lemon bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
Dust the top generously with powdered sugar and slice into 16 squares or bars.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
290 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 13.2 g | 17% | |
| Saturated Fat | 7.8 g | 39% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 78 mg | 26% | |
| Sodium | 49 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.4 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 26.4 g | ||
| Protein | 3.4 g | 7% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 13 mg | 1% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 48 mg | 1% | |
*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.
