Classic Tangy Lemon Bars (Printable)
Buttery shortbread meets vibrant lemon filling in these classic bars
# What You Need:
→ Shortbread Crust
01 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups (250 g) all-purpose flour
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Lemon Filling
05 - 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
06 - 1/4 cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
07 - 4 large eggs
08 - 2/3 cup (160 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
09 - 1 tablespoon lemon zest
→ Topping
10 - Powdered sugar, for dusting
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Add 2 cups flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt, mixing until dough forms.
03 - Press dough evenly into pan bottom. Bake for 18–20 minutes until lightly golden.
04 - Whisk together sugar and flour in medium bowl. Add eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest; whisk until well combined.
05 - Pour lemon mixture over hot crust immediately after removing from oven.
06 - Bake for 18–20 minutes until filling is just set in center.
07 - Cool completely in pan. Lift out using parchment handles and slice into 16 bars.
08 - Dust generously with powdered sugar before serving.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The buttery crust melts in your mouth while the bright lemon filling wakes up your taste buds in the most delightful way
- These bars strike that perfect balance between sweet and tangy that makes them impossible to stop eating
02 -
- Pour the filling over the hot crust immediately, otherwise the filling will seep underneath and create a soggy bottom layer
- The filling should still have a slight jiggle in the center when you remove it from the oven, as it will continue to set while cooling
03 -
- Zest your lemons before juicing them, it's much easier to get every bit of fragrant zest from a whole lemon
- Room temperature eggs incorporate more smoothly into the filling, preventing those pesky little white egg white bits