I love lemon bars, but I’m very picky with them. I often find that when I buy them, they’re too sweet and the lemon flavor doesn’t come through as much as I want it to. So, of course I had to make my own recipe! These bars are the perfect combination of tart and sweet. You really cannot go wrong bringing them to a summer event or potluck, or eating them on the couch in your sweats! Give them a try, and as always don’t forget to leave a review!
What ingredients do I need to make this recipe?
- All-purpose flour: Flour is used in both the crust and curd. It gives structure to both!
- Powdered sugar: The powdered sugar gives the shortbread crust the perfect amount of sweetness. You’ll also sprinkle this on before serving!
- Granulated sugar: This sweetens the curd so the tartness isn’t overwhelming.
- Lemons: You’ll need the juice and zest of the lemons! Both of these together give the perfect amount of lemon flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter is used to make the shortbread crust.
- Eggs: Eggs are necessary for the structure of the lemon curd!
- Vanilla: I mean, duh.
- Salt: This balances out the sweetness of the crust.
What are lemon bars?
Lemon bars are a lemon curd baked on top of a shortbread crust!
How to make lemon bars:
1) Prepare the crust: Mix together the flour, powdered sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt. Press firmly and evenly into a parchment-paper lined 9x13 pan.
2) Bake the crust: Bake the crust before adding the lemon curd!
3) Prepare the lemon curd: Mix together the granulated sugar, lemon zest, flour, lemon juice, and eggs.
4) Pour the lemon curd over the crust.
5) Bake: Bake until the lemon curd sets (around 20 minutes). You will know if it’s ready by lightly jiggling the pan and seeing if it jiggles. If it does, keep baking.
6) Cool: Cool for at least 2 hours to let the curd set. Then, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into squares!
What equipment do I need to make this recipe?
All you need for this recipe is regular mixing bowls, a whisk, and a zester/grater!
Tips and tricks:
- Use fresh lemon juice! This is necessary to get the freshest and best lemon bars possible.
- Don’t skip the lemon zest!
Related
Lemon Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter 2 sticks, melted
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
Filling
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 6 eggs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Mix together all crust ingredients until dough is formed.
- Line a 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper and then press the crust firmly into the bottom of the pan. Make sure the crust is even.
- Place in the oven until the edges of the crust are golden brown, about 20 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, mix together the sugar and lemon zest.
- Sift in the flour before mixing in the lemon juice and eggs.
- When the crust is done, pierce all over with fork (not all the way through, about halfway). This will help the filling stick.
- Pour the filling over the crust, and put back in oven for 20-25 min, until the center is no longer jiggling.
- Let cool for at least 2 hours.
- Once cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar through a mesh strainer and cut into squares!
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