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I've always been a sucker for lemon desserts. Something about that bright, zesty flavor just wakes up my taste buds and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. And these lemon bars? Oh, they're in a league of their own. Picture this: a buttery, crumbly shortbread crust that practically melts in your mouth, topped with a smooth, tangy lemon custard that’s perfectly balanced between sweet and tart. I remember one time I took these lemon bars to a picnic, and they were gone in like, five minutes! Everyone was raving about them. One person even asked for the recipe, haha. It was a great day!
What I love most about this recipe is that it's surprisingly easy to make. Don't let the fancy name fool you – even if you're a beginner baker, you can totally nail this. I'm not kidding. There are only a few simple steps and ingredients involved, and the result is seriously impressive. One tip I learned the hard way is to make sure you use fresh lemon juice. The bottled stuff just doesn't have the same zing. I've also experimented with different types of sugar, and I found that granulated sugar works best for the crust, while powdered sugar gives the custard a smoother texture. But hey, feel free to get creative and experiment with your own variations!
Now, let's talk about serving these beauties. They're perfect for everything. From casual get-togethers to elegant dinner parties. I like to arrange them on a pretty platter and dust them with a little extra powdered sugar for a fancy touch. And if you really wanna go the extra mile, you could even serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Trust me, your friends and family will thank you. So, are you ready to bake some sunshine? Let's get started!
Required Equipments
Mixing Bowls
Whisk
Pastry Blender (or forks)
9x13 inch Baking Pan
Measuring Cups and Spoons
Lemon Zester
Lemon Bars Platter: Frequently Asked Questions
Lemon Bars Platter
These lemon bars deliver a burst of citrusy sunshine with every bite. A buttery, crumbly shortbread crust topped with a tangy lemon custard – it’s pure dessert bliss!
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield:12 servings
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
Alright, let's start with the crust. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is super important, so don't skip it! You don't want to end up with undercooked or overcooked bars now, do we?
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Make sure everything is evenly distributed, okay?
Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. This is where your hands come in handy! Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. If you don't have a pastry blender, two forks work just fine.
Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch baking pan. I like to use the bottom of a measuring cup to really pack it in there.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden brown. Keep an eye on it, because every oven is different!
While the crust is baking, let's get started on the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, and lemon zest until smooth. The zest is key, so don't leave it out! It's what gives the bars that intense lemon flavor.
Stir in the lemon juice and flour until just combined. Don't overmix, or your filling might get tough.
Once the crust is ready, pour the filling over the warm crust. Spread it out evenly, so every bite is perfect.
Bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are lightly golden brown. The center should still have a slight jiggle to it.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares. This is the hardest part, I know, but trust me, it's worth it!
Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired. And there you have it – sunshine on a platter!
📝 Notes
For an extra tangy flavor, add an additional tablespoon of lemon zest to the filling.
Store leftover lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.