Lemon Bars are the kind of dessert that always disappears first at any gathering. These bars are buttery and perfectly sweet with that tangy lemon bite. They have a simple shortbread crust and a silky lemon layer on top, finished with a snowy dusting of powdered sugar.
What makes these lemon bars so good is the texture combo, tender crust with a smooth, citrusy filling that slices into pretty squares every time. They are ideal for spring parties, potlucks, baby showers, or whenever you need an easy dessert that feels bakery-style.
If you love these lemon squares, you’ll also love our Lemon Cupcakes, Lemon Lasagna, and Lemon Blossoms
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Fresh fruit flavor. We love the bright lemon flavor! It’s refreshing and delicious.
- 10 minutes of prep. The shortbread crust is simple, and the filling is a breeze making this one of our best-loved easy desserts!
- Freezable! These can be enjoyed at room temperature or chilled. They can even be frozen for longer storage – perfect for making ahead of time.
Lemon Bars Ingredients
- Unsalted butter, room temperature (1 cup): This creates that rich, tender shortbread crust and helps everything press smoothly into the pan.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Gives the crust structure so it bakes up sturdy enough to hold the lemon layer.
- Powdered sugar (½ cup): Sweetens the crust while keeping it soft and delicate, not gritty.
- Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and makes the buttery crust taste more flavorful.
- Eggs (4): Set the lemon layer so it becomes custardy and sliceable instead of runny. Room temperature eggs incorporate better than cold eggs.
- Lemon juice (5-6 tablespoons): Brings the tangy lemon flavor that makes lemon bars so refreshing. For fresh lemon juice you’ll need 2 medium-sized lemons, or you can use bottled lemon juice.
- Granulated sugar (1¾ cups): Sweetens the filling and balances the tart lemon so it tastes bright, not puckery.
- All-purpose flour (⅓ cup): Thickens the lemon layer so it bakes up smooth and holds its shape when cut.
- Powdered sugar, for topping (powdered sugar, for topping): Adds that classic lemon bar finish and a little extra sweetness on top. You can also use a lemon glaze or a layer of lemon frosting.
How to Make Lemon Bars
PREP. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and set aside.
CRUST. In a medium bowl, mix butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt with a pastry cutter or spatula. Press the crust firmly and evenly into the pan so it bakes into a solid base and does not crumble when cutting.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Make sure to not let it brown.
LEMON LAYER. While the crust is baking, blend eggs, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and flour in a medium bowl with a hand mixer until frothy, about 30 seconds. Pour the lemon mixture over a warm crust, this helps it bond and bake evenly.
- Bake for an additional 22–24 minutes. Bars are done when the edges begin to turn golden brown and the middle is set and does not wobble.
SERVE. Let cool completely in the pan. Sift powdered sugar over the top before cutting into lemon bars.
Kristyn’s Lemon Bars Tips
- We prefer fresh-squeezed lemon juice, and sometimes we include 1-2 teaspoons lemon zest for extra lemon flavor.
- If you overcook your lemon bars, they will curdle, look eggy, and end up with more of a grainy texture. Make sure to take them out of the oven as soon as the middle is set.
- Don’t worry if air bubbles appear. They are common and get covered with the powdered sugar topping.
- We often garnish each lemon square with a sliver of fresh lemon or add fresh berries (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry) to each square.
- For clean, even slices, we like to bake our bars in a parchment paper-lined pan. Once baked and cooled, lift out completely. Dip a chef’s knife in hot water, wipe off the water, and then slice.
Lemon Bars Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
Lemon Layer
- 4 eggs
- 5-6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1¾ cups granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- powdered sugar, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt with a pastry cutter or spatula. Press the crust firmly and evenly into the pan so it bakes into a solid base and does not crumble when cutting.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Do not let it brown.
- While the crust is baking, blend eggs, lemon juice, granulated sugar, and flour in a medium bowl with a hand mixer until frothy, about 30 seconds. Pour the lemon mixture over a warm crust, this helps it bond and bake evenly.
- Bake for an additional 22–24 minutes. Bars are done when the edges begin to turn golden brown and the middle is set and does not wobble.
- Let cool completely in the pan. Sift powdered sugar over the top before cutting into squares.
Notes
- You’ll need two medium lemons for freshly squeezed lemon juice; include 1-2 teaspoons of lemon zest for extra lemon flavor.
- If you overcook your lemon bars, they will curdle, look eggy, and end up with more of a grainy texture. Take them out of the oven as soon as the middle is set.
- Don’t worry if air bubbles appear. They are common and get covered with the delicious powdered sugar topping.
- Garnish each lemon square with a sliver of fresh lemon or add fresh berries (raspberry, blueberry, strawberry) to each square.
- For clean, even slices, we like to bake our bars in a parchment paper-lined pan. Once baked and cooled, lift out completely. Dip a chef’s knife in hot water, wipe off the water, and then slice.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Store covered or in an airtight container. If needed, separate the layers with parchment paper. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freezer for up to 1 month.
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This recipe was originally published April 2017.
Adapted from Among the Young.
Hi,
Lovely recipe, can’t wait to try it. ☺️
Question – squeezed the lemons I have on hand and only came up with 3T of juice. I have limes – may I make up the 2-3T with lime instead?
Thank you!
You could use limes but it will change the flavor of the bars slightly. I have never tried them with lime juice, so I’m not sure how it would turn out. You’ll have to let us know!
Did you use salted or unsalted butter?
You can use either salted or unsalted butter for this recipe – whichever you prefer. 🙂
I used passion fruit (lilikoi) in place of the lemon. Wow. Turned out great!
That sounds amazing! I’ll have to give that a try!
They looked lovely and I was keen to make them but there was no ingredients measurements….how many eggs?…..how much flour? Etc
The recipe with the ingredient amounts is found at the bottom of the post. All of the instructions should be there as well. Hope this helps!
I made these lemon bars for Mother’s Day gifts. It was my first attempt at baking them. Recipe was very easy to follow and were a big hit. Once my hubby tasted one, the lemon bars nearly didn’t make it into the gift boxes.
Haha..love to hear that! Thank you!
I absolutely loved this recipe. I made lemon bars not too long ago and they were good, but these were GREAT. I added a dash of vanilla extract to my shortbread and a little bit of lemon zest to my lemon filling. I think it made it perfect
Woohoo!! Glad you thought they were great! Thank you for letting me know!
Easy, quick and delcious! Gonna try it again with fresh lemons! Thank you!
You are so welcome!! Thank you for letting me know!
Sounds good. I will be trying g this. Ii8
We hope you enjoy them!
Great recipe! Tastes so good my whole family enjoys this one. The only thing to add is im in high elevation so baking at 350 for 20 minutes did not work for me i had to Bake for an additional 10 min. Could you comment on how the texture should be in case i am over baking?
They are soft & gooey. I hope they turned out for you 🙂
Lemon is good…but i wanted to switch it up and used fresh lime juice….it was really good! (sorry for the caps…default setting I guess)
Good idea!! Happy you liked it! Thank you for sharing that!
Lemon happens to be my all time favorite flavor for desserts! These bars are so good and not too tangy!