Description
These Bright and Fresh Simple Lemon Bars are sweet, tangy, buttery, and perfect when you need an easy recipe for a quick dessert, spring treat, summer party, brunch table, bake sale, or simple homemade dessert idea. A tender shortbread crust holds a smooth fresh lemon filling, then everything chills into clean, sunny squares finished with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the sides.
2. In a bowl, mix 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
3. Add the softened butter and mix until a crumbly dough forms.
4. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan.
5. Bake the crust for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
6. While the crust bakes, whisk the eggs and 1 cup granulated sugar until smooth.
7. Add 2 tablespoons flour, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, and 1/8 teaspoon salt, then whisk until fully combined.
8. Pour the lemon filling over the warm crust.
9. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
10. Cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
11. Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper, dust with powdered sugar, and slice into squares.
Notes
Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the brightest flavor.
Chill the bars fully before slicing so the filling sets cleanly.
Dust with powdered sugar right before serving so it stays pretty on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 42 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 42mg
Keywords: Bright and Fresh Simple Lemon Bars, lemon bars, easy lemon dessert, quick dessert, homemade dessert idea, spring dessert, summer dessert, bake sale dessert, brunch dessert