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    You Are Here Home » Sweets Recipes

    Published: Mar 27, 2019 Updated: Apr 25, 2023 by Hilda Sterner | This post may contain affiliate links 3 Comments

    Easy Lemon Bars Recipe

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    lemon bars pin

    This Easy Lemon Bars Recipe will guarantee lemon bars that are tart, sweet, and simply delicious! So if you're looking for the perfect lemon bars recipe, congratulations, you've found it! And if you have leftover lemons, use them to make my delicious Italian Limoncello recipe.

    lemon bars on a blue dish

    If you love tart and sweet lemon bars with a crumbly crust, this recipe is for you! These lemon bars are among my friend's favorite recipes and I'm constantly being asked for the recipe. Now I'm sharing it with the rest of you!

    Making lemon bars couldn't be any easier. Especially with this Easy Lemon Bars Recipe. Just make sure you get your hands on some fresh, organic lemons if possible.

    lemon bars being dished out

    🍋How to Make Lemon Bars

    Prepare Crust

    Step 1: Mix flour, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until combined.

    cubed butter and flour in a food processor

    Step 2: Pour flour mixture into a food processor, then add lemon zest and cubed butter. Pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly.

    making pie crust in food processor

    Step 3: Add to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Compress the mixture to create the crust. Bake for 20 minutes.

    baked lemon bars crust

    Lemon Layer

    Step 1: Beat eggs with an electric mixture. Add the sugar and mix until combined.

    Step 2: Add flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, half and half, and salt. Mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.

    Step 3: Remove crust when 20 minutes have elapsed. Pour the lemon topping mixture over the hot crust.

    lemon bars unbaked

    Step 4: Bake for 25 minutes longer, or until the lemon-custard is set. Cool off completely before storing it in the fridge for at least an hour.

    sliced lemon bars in a pan

    Step 5: Sift powdered sugar over the lemon bars before serving.

    lemon bars on a square, green plate

    Recipe FAQs

    Do lemon bars have to be refrigerated?

    Lemon bars should not be left out for more than a few hours and need refrigeration. This is especially true in hot conditions.

    Lemon bars contain cream and eggs, just like any custard. Therefore, they should not be left out for an extended period of time.

    But in all honesty, they probably won't last more than a couple of hours. Trust me, they'll be gobbled up way sooner than that!

    lemon bars on a plate with lemon slices around them

    How Long Do Lemon Bars Last in the Fridge?

    There are many factors that can affect how long lemon bars last in the fridge. For example, how many family members of your family have a sweet tooth?

    Seriously, in my house, lemon bars would never last longer than three or four days. Scott can polish off five pieces at one sitting, and call it a "Scott-sized" serving (he's 6' 4").

    Another factor is how they are packed. Like most food, you don't want to leave the lemon bars uncovered. This not only dries them out but allows them to absorb other flavors in the fridge.

    Make sure you pack them in a sealed container, with wax paper between the layers.

    lemon bars on a blue plate

    Related Recipes

    • limoncello cheesecake
      Limoncello Cheesecake
    • lemon shortbread cookies on a cooling rack
      Lemon Shortbread Cookies
    • preserved lemons in a jar
      Moroccan Preserved Lemons
    • lemonade jar
      Easy Lemonade Recipe

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook. Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📖 Recipe

    lemon bars on a blue dish

    Easy Lemon Bars Recipe

    The best lemon bars you'll ever have, and super easy recipe to follow!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Resting Time: 2 hours hours
    Total Time: 45 minutes minutes
    Servings: 24 pieces
    Calories: 116kcal
    Author: Hilda Sterner

    Ingredients

    Crust:

    • 1⅓ cups flour
    • ⅓ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
    • ½ cup butter

    Lemon Layer:

    • 5 large eggs
    • 1½ cups sugar
    • 3 tablespoon flour
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • ⅔ cups lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
    • ⅓ cup half and half
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Misc.

    • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)

    Instructions

    Preheat oven to 350-degrees F.

      Crust

      • Mix flour, sugar, cornstarch, and salt until combined.
      • Pour flour mixture into a food processor. Add lemon zest, and cubed butter. Pulse until the mixture becomes crumbly.
      • Add to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Compress the mixture to creates the crust. You can either use your palms, or the bottom of a glass to do this. 
      • Bake for 20 minutes.

      Lemon Topping

      • Meanwhile, beat eggs with an electric mixer. Add the sugar, and mix until combined.
      • Add flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, half and half, and salt. Mix until all the ingredients are incorporated. 
      • Remove crust when 20 minutes have elapsed. Pour the lemon topping mixture over the hot crust. 
      • Bake for an additional 25 minutes, or until the lemon-custard is set.
      • Cool off completely, then store in the fridge for at least one hour.
      • Sift powdered sugar over the lemon bars before serving.

      Nutrition

      Serving: 1piece | Calories: 116kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 50mg | Sodium: 66mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 15g
      Tried this Recipe? Please leave A Star Rating!Mention @HildasKitchenBlog or tag #HildasKitchenBlog!

      This post was originally published on 3/27/19 and edited on 11/14/19 by adding a few photos and changing the formatting.

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Shala Carter says

        March 28, 2019 at 2:59 pm

        I had my husband stop and pick up some lemons. Fingers crossed!

      2. HildaSterner says

        March 27, 2019 at 8:22 pm

        And that is why I send them to work with Scott! 😉

      3. Shala Carter says

        March 27, 2019 at 7:54 pm

        5 stars
        Lemon bars are the best! I will have to eat the whole pan!

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