Best 8 Lemon Bars From Scratch Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable world of lemon bars, a classic dessert loved for its delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors. These golden treats are a staple in bakeries and homes alike, captivating taste buds with their velvety filling encased in a buttery shortbread crust. Our collection of lemon bar recipes offers a diverse range of variations to suit every palate. From the traditional to the unique, these recipes provide step-by-step guidance to help you recreate this timeless dessert in your kitchen. Discover the secrets to crafting the perfect shortbread crust, ensuring it's crisp and crumbly. Learn how to achieve a luscious lemon filling that strikes the ideal balance between tanginess and sweetness. Explore creative twists on this classic, such as adding a layer of blueberry or raspberry preserves for a burst of fruity flavor, or incorporating herbs like thyme or rosemary for a savory twist. With our comprehensive guide, you'll be able to master the art of lemon bars and impress your loved ones with this irresistible treat.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

PERFECT LEMON BARS



Perfect Lemon Bars image

My favorite EASY lemon bars recipe with just the right ratio of buttery shortbread crust and creamy lemon filling. Always a crowd favorite.

Provided by Lauren Allen

Categories     Dessert

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup butter (, at room temperature)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
dash of salt
Zest of one large lemon
1 cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of an 8'' pan with parchment paper, or grease with cooking spray and set aside
  • For the crust: In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and powdered sugar. Add the flour and salt and mix on low speed, just until combined.
  • Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
  • While the crust cools, make the lemon filling. Mix the lemon zest and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, flour, baking powder, and eggs. Mix until well combined and the sugar is dissolved. Pour mixture over crust.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 more minutes, or until the filling has set. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar before cutting and serving. Store lemon bars in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 268 kcal, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 11 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Sodium 108 mg, Sugar 25 g, ServingSize 1 serving

LEMON BARS



Lemon Bars image

These easy lemon bars are a delightful recipe from my mother's file. I've been serving it for many years. This easy lemon bar recipe has a wonderful tangy flavor, and they're always a hit. The color and shape make them a nice addition to a platter of cookies. -Etta Soucy, Mesa, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
FILLING:
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Additional confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the flour, butter and confectioners' sugar. Pat into an ungreased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. , For filling, in a small bowl, beat eggs. Add the sugar, flour, baking powder, lemon juice and zest; beat until frothy. Pour over the crust. Bake 25 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 263 calories, Fat 11g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 74mg cholesterol, Sodium 140mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

THE BEST LEMON BARS



The Best Lemon Bars image

Tart, rich and perfection, all rolled into one! Wow your friends with this simple recipe. Hint: No Substitutions!

Provided by Patty Schenck

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup butter, softened
½ cup white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 ½ cups white sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 lemons, juiced

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.
  • Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool. For a festive tray, make another pan using limes instead of lemons and adding a drop of green food coloring to give a very pale green. After both pans have cooled, cut into uniform 2 inch squares and arrange in a checker board fashion.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 125.8 calories, Carbohydrate 17.8 g, Cholesterol 34.2 mg, Fat 5.8 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 44.4 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

HOMEMADE LEMON BARS



Homemade Lemon Bars image

When these tangy bars were served in my husband's childhood, family meals were memorably complete. That's still true today for our family. The bars' sweetness rounds out the meal, but the lemony flavor keeps them light. Don't expect many leftovers once family and friends taste these treats! -Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
TOPPING:
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat flour, butter and confectioners' sugar until blended. Press onto bottom of an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned., For topping, in a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice, extract, baking powder and salt until frothy; pour over hot crust., Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool completely in dish on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235 calories, Fat 8g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 171mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

LEMON BARS



Lemon Bars image

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars are easy to bake and make for the perfect picnic dessert, from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     dessert

Time 1h35m

Yield 20 squares or 40 triangles

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup flour
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.
  • Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.
  • For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.
  • Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.

LEMON BARS



Lemon Bars image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 2h55m

Yield 20 bars

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 sticks salted butter, cut into cubes, plus more for greasing the pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 large eggs
Zest and juice of 5 lemons
Powdered sugar, for sifting

Steps:

  • For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with butter and line with foil.
  • Cut together the butter, flour, granulated sugar and salt. Press into the prepared pan and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
  • For the filling: Whisk together the granulated sugar, flour and eggs until smooth. Add the lemon zest and juice and mix until combined. Pour over the crust and bake until just set, about 20 minutes.
  • Allow to cool in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours, then sift powdered sugar over the top before cutting into squares.

CHEF JOHN'S LEMON BARS



Chef John's Lemon Bars image

This is one of my favorite cookies of all time, although technically they're closer to a pie than a cookie. Nothing prepares you for that intense, awesome sweet-tart lemon flavor and custard, perfectly contrasted against that crisp, sweet buttery shortbread cookie.

Provided by Chef John

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 1h40m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
¼ cup confectioners' sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste

Steps:

  • Place an oven rack into middle position in oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil an 8x8-inch baking dish.
  • Place 1 cup flour and butter in a mixing bowl and mash with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. Mix in 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; mash mixture together until mixture looks like a slightly crumbly cookie dough.
  • Moisten your fingers with a little water and press dough into bottom of prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick holes all over the crust.
  • Bake crust on center rack in the preheated oven until crust edges are barely golden brown, 22 minutes.
  • Beat eggs and egg yolks together in a bowl; whisk in white sugar and 2 tablespoons flour until smooth. Add lemon juice and lemon zest; whisk for 2 minutes. Pour lemon custard over crust.
  • Bake on center rack until custard is set and top has a thin white sugary crust, 25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Dip knife into very hot water, run around the edge, and cut into 16 squares. Dust cookies with 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 153 calories, Carbohydrate 21.8 g, Cholesterol 51.3 mg, Fat 6.7 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.9 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 46.6 mg, Sugar 14.8 g

CLASSIC LEMON BARS



Classic Lemon Bars image

These bars are simple enough for no-fuss dinners yet elegant enough for special celebrations. Regardless of when you serve them, I'm sure they'll be a hit at your home. —Melissa Mosness, Loveland, Colorado

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
FILLING:
3/4 cup sugar
2 large eggs
3 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes; gradually beat in flour until blended. , Press into an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. , For filling, in a small bowl, beat the sugar, eggs, lemon juice, flour, lemon zest and baking powder until frothy. Pour over crust. , Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until set and lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Cut into squares.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 250 calories, Fat 11g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 74mg cholesterol, Sodium 99mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (23g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

Tips:

  • Use fresh lemons for the best flavor. Bottled lemon juice just doesn't compare.
  • Zest the lemons before juicing them. This will give your lemon bars an extra boost of citrus flavor.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in tough, dense lemon bars.
  • Bake the lemon bars until the edges are golden brown and the center is set. If you underbake them, they will be too soft and runny. If you overbake them, they will be dry and crumbly.
  • Let the lemon bars cool completely before cutting them. This will help prevent them from falling apart.
  • For a richer flavor, use butter instead of margarine.
  • If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the butter and sugar together with a box grater.
  • For a gluten-free version of these lemon bars, use a gluten-free flour blend.
  • These lemon bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

Lemon bars are a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With their bright citrus flavor and creamy texture, lemon bars are sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck. So next time you're looking for a delicious and refreshing dessert, give these lemon bars a try!

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