Lemon Bar Recipe

Close up of a delicious lemon bar.

Lemon bars are a delicious and easy to make bakery treat. Serve lemon bars at your next luncheon, tea party or bridal shower. To make lemon bars, first make the shortbread crust, and pre-bake it in the oven before adding the lemon bar filling and returning to the oven.

Fresh lemon juice tastes best, but in a pinch bottled lemon juice can be substituted. This recipe makes 20 lemon bars. For an interesting flavor variation, try substituting another citrus juice, such as orange or lime, to make orange bars or lime bars.

Making lemon bars.

Lemon Bar Shortbread Crust Ingredients

• 1 cup, i.e. 2 sticks unsalted butter - room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 2/3 cup all-purpose flour

Preparing shortbread crust.

Lemon Bar Shortbread Crust Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large bowl, add the softened butter and sugar, then cream together with a large spoon until smooth and creamy.
3. Sift in the flour and mix until well blended.
4. Add the shortbread crust to a greased 9 x 11 inch rectangular glass pan.
5. Smooth and press the crust evenly across the bottom of the pan.
6. Place the pan in the oven and bake until light brown, approximately 18 to 20 minutes.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and place on a heat proof surface.
8. Continue following the recipe to prepare the lemon bar filling.

Preparing lemon bar filling.

Lemon Bar Filling Ingredients

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar

Dust completed lemon bars with powdered sugar.

Lemon Bar Filling Directions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs.
2. Stir in the baking powder and flour.
3. Add the lemon juice to the bowl, and mix until well blended.
4. Pour the lemon bar filling into the pan with the prepared shortbread crust.
5. Place the pan back in the oven and cook for 17 to 20 minutes.
6. Remove the pan from the oven and place on a heatproof surface.
7. Let the lemon bars cool slightly, then dust them with the confectioner's sugar.
8. Once the lemon bars are completely cooled, cut them into 20 pieces.

Cut cooled lemon bars into squares.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Cuisine Diva