Table of Contents
- What Are Lemon Bars?
- Why This Lemon Bars Recipe Is Perfect
- Tips for a Perfect Buttery Shortbread Crust
- Mastering the Tangy Lemon Filling
- Serving, Storage & More Ideas
- Ready to Make the Best Easy Lemon Bars?
- The Easy Lemon Bars Recipe
- Recipe Notes & Tips
Key Takeaways
These Easy Lemon Bars are the ultimate fuss-free dessert, combining a rich, buttery shortbread crust with a perfectly balanced, bright lemon curd topping. They are incredibly simple to make, requiring just basic ingredients and a simple two-step baking process. The recipe delivers classic bakery-style results every time and can be adapted for different occasions, making it a staple recipe for anyone who loves a tangy, sweet treat.
What Are Lemon Bars?
Hello and welcome to Betty Cooks! If you’re new to my recipes, I’m Betty, and I believe that great food should be both delicious and simple. Today, we’re diving into one of my all-time favorite treats: the classic lemon bar. This particular recipe is one of my easy lemon desserts that never fails to bring smiles. More than just a dessert, this is an easy lemon bars recipe that offers the perfect harmony of textures and flavors. At its heart, this recipe features a melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base that cradles a layer of luscious, tangy lemon custard. It’s the kind of dessert that looks and tastes impressive but is surprisingly straightforward to make from scratch.
Why This Lemon Bars Recipe Is Perfect
There are countless recipes out there, but what makes this the best easy lemon bar recipe? First, it’s incredibly reliable. The crust bakes up crisp and golden every time, providing the ideal sturdy foundation for the smooth lemon topping. Second, the lemon filling strikes the right balance—it’s wonderfully tart and refreshing without being overly sour, thanks to the perfect ratio of fresh lemon juice to sugar. Whether you’re planning a summer picnic, need a bright dessert for a holiday table, or simply crave a little sunshine on a plate, these bars are the answer. They’re proof that with a few good ingredients and simple steps, you can create a truly memorable sweet treat.
Tips for a Perfect Buttery Shortbread Crust
The foundation of any great lemon bar is its crust. For this recipe, we use a simple shortbread dough that’s pressed into the pan—no rolling pin required. The key is using real, softened butter and ensuring your dough is evenly distributed before baking. Don’t skip the step of partially baking (“blind baking”) the crust before adding the filling. This crucial step ensures the bottom stays crisp and doesn’t become soggy under the wet lemon mixture. If you want to explore more baking ideas, you can find a variety of other sweet easy recipes on my site, Betty Cooks.
Mastering the Tangy Lemon Filling
The magic truly happens with the lemon topping. Whisking together eggs, sugar, a bit of flour, and plenty of fresh lemon juice creates a custard that bakes into a velvety, set layer. For the most vibrant flavor, I can’t emphasize enough the importance of using freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled. The zest adds another layer of aromatic citrus oil that makes all the difference. When you pour the filling over the warm, par-baked crust and return it to the oven, you’ll watch it transform into a gorgeous, golden-yellow sheet of tart bliss.
Serving, Storage & More Ideas
Once cooled and chilled, these bars are ready to shine. A generous dusting of powdered sugar is the traditional and beautiful finishing touch, but feel free to get creative! A dollop of whipped cream or a few fresh berries on the side elevate them for a special occasion. For storage, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This not only preserves their texture but also makes them a fantastic make-ahead option for parties. This recipe belongs to the wonderful world of easy recipes that yield impressive results with minimal effort.
Ready to Make the Best Easy Lemon Bars?
If you love the combination of sweet and tart, this easy lemon bar recipe is your new go-to. It’s the perfect project for bakers of any skill level and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The process is therapeutic, the aroma while baking is heavenly, and the final product is absolutely irresistible. I’m so excited for you to try it! Gather your lemons, and let’s bake up some sunshine.
Easy Lemon Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Lemon Filling
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (30g) all-purpose flour
- 2/3 cup (160ml) fresh lemon juice
- Zest of 2 lemons
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
For the Crust
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy.
- Gradually mix in 2 cups of flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.
For the Lemon Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1 1/2 cups sugar until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Whisk in 1/4 cup flour until fully incorporated.
- Stir in the fresh lemon juice and lemon zest until the mixture is uniform.
- Pour the lemon filling over the warm crust.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are lightly golden.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to set completely.
- Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Dust the top generously with powdered sugar.
- Cut into squares and serve.
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