Lemon Square Bars Recipe | Easy Tangy Dessert
Lemon Square Bars are a classic dessert featuring a rich, buttery shortbread crust topped with a smooth, tangy lemon filling. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, these bars deliver the perfect balance of sweet and citrusy flavors. Easy to make and perfect for gatherings, holidays, or everyday treats, they’re a refreshing dessert that everyone will love.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Oven
- Parchment paper (optional, for easy removal)
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
For garnish:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix flour, sugar, and butter until crumbly. Press evenly into a greased baking pan.
- Bake crust: Bake for 15–20 minutes until lightly golden.
- Make filling: Whisk eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
- Combine: Pour filling over hot crust immediately after baking.
- Bake again: Return to oven for 20–25 minutes, or until filling is set.
- Cool: Allow bars to cool completely, then chill for at least 1 hour.
- Finish: Dust with powdered sugar before slicing into squares.
Notes
- Always use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Bottled juice lacks brightness.
- Chill bars before slicing for clean edges.
- For a lighter version: reduce sugar, use whole wheat flour in the crust, or substitute part of the butter with coconut oil.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge, or freeze for up to 2 months.