Classic Lemon Bars (2024)

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by Michelle
May 26, 2021

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4.69 (44 ratings)

Sweet yet tangy, these classic lemon bars make the ultimate summer dessert. A creamy and zesty lemon filling sits atop a buttery and tender shortbread-style crust in this easy recipe. Perfect dusted with powdered sugar or dolloped with whipped cream, these lemon bars are a refreshing treat!

Classic Lemon Bars (1)

I am admittedly not a huge lemon dessert type of person.

A wedge of lemon in my water or iced tea? Sure! But lemon for dessert when I could choose something like chocolate or cheesecake? It’s a hard sell for me.

That being said, there are times, especially in the summer, when I’m just craving something super light and refreshing to top off a meal instead of something crazy sweet and heavy.

Enter lemon bars.

Why We LOVE These Bars

Aside from being the ultimate summer treat, these lemon bars are a must make recipe for quite a few reasons.

  • They are the perfect balance of sweet yet tart.
  • Excellent for a make-ahead dessert since they can be made up to 2 days in advance.
  • Unbelievably easy. You can make these bars entirely by hand (but the food processer does help).

The Ingredients

These lemon bars are comprised of a bottom shortbread crust and creamy lemon filling. Let’s walk through some key ingredients for each…

The Crust

  • Flour: Use all-purpose flour to provide structure to the crust.
  • Powdered Sugar: Helps give the crust a sandy, tender texture.
  • Cornstarch: Keeps the shortbread surprisingly soft.
  • Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature to help bind the shortbread together.

The Lemon Filling

I like to make the filling while the crust chills so it’s ready to pour in after baking. A few notes:

  • Lemon zest: For a little boost of lemony flavor, use fresh. lemon zest.
  • Lemon juice: Fresh, not bottled, gives maximum lemony flavor to the bars. If you are in a pinch, bottled can be used, but the flavor won’t be quite the same.
  • Milk: Whole milk works best to give a creamy finish to the filling.
Classic Lemon Bars (2)

How to Make the Bars

This sweet yet tangy lemon bar recipe is not only the best recipe for lemon bars but also by far the easiest to make! The shortbread crust is surprisingly soft (thank you, cornstarch!) and the lemon filling is the perfect hybrid of creamy yet firm and tart yet sweet.

Let’s break down how to make these tangy lemon bars into two main parts, the shortbread crust, and the lemon filling.

  • Prepare for baking: Preheat to oven to 350°F. Lightly butter 9×13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.
  • Mix dry ingredients: Pulse the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a food processor.
  • Add the butter and process for 8 to 10 seconds and then pulse until the mixture is pale yellow and resembles a coarse meal, about three 1-second pulses.
  • Press into the pan: Sprinkle the mixture into the lined pan and press firmly into an even layer over the entire bottom and 1/2-inch up the sides.
  • Chill and bake: Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Classic Lemon Bars (3)

Make the Filling

  • Mix eggs and dry ingredients: Whisk the eggs, sugar, and flour in a medium bowl.
  • Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, milk, and salt to blend well.
  • Reduce oven temperature: Once the crust finishes baking, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
  • Pour filling on the crust: Stir the filling mixture to re-incorporate the ingredients, then pour into the warm crust.
Classic Lemon Bars (4)
  • Bake until the filling feels firm when touched lights, about 20 minutes.
  • Cool completely: Transfer the pan to a wire rack; cool to near room temperature, at least 30 minutes.
  • Transfer and slice: Lift the bars from the pan, using the parchment paper, then place on a cutting board to slice into squares.

Helpful Baking Tips

  • Parchment Paper: Make sure the parchment paper comes up the sides to create a sling to lift the bars out when they are done.
  • Gooey Lemon Bars: When you remove the lemon bars from the oven, they should be set i.e. not jiggly in the middle and the edges will be golden. They will continue to set during the cooling process, so make sure they have ample time to cool before slicing in.
Classic Lemon Bars (5)

How to cut smooth lines on Lemon Bars

When you are ready to cut and serve these delicious lemon bars, here are a few helpful tips to get smooth cuts every time.

  • Allow the bars to set completely before cutting. It might help to refrigerate them overnight and wait to cut before you plan to serve.
  • Run a sharp knife blade under warm water to cut through the lemon bars smoothly.
  • Clean off the knife between cuts. Some of the lemon bar filling sticks to the blade and prevents a second smooth cut.

Serving Suggestions

Whether you plan to make these for a picnic in the middle of summer, a cookie table for a wedding in the spring, or a Christmas cookie tray, you’ll be so pleased with how easily these come together and how delicious they are. Some of my favorite ways to dish the bars out include:

  • Powdered sugar: Shower them with a generous dusting of powdered sugar and they’ll be ready to go!
  • Whipped Cream: Dollop a fresh scoop of whipped cream on the top for an extra creamy finish.
Classic Lemon Bars (6)

Serving, Storing, and Freezing

  • Serving: Lemon bars are fine to keep out at room temperature for up to 6 hours or so.
  • Storing: Store cooked lemon bars or leftovers in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store for up to 2 days.
  • Make-Ahead: You can make lemon bars up to two days in advance. Simply allow them to cool to room temperature and then cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature and blot the top with paper towels to remove condensation before dusting with powdered sugar (that will help the powdered sugar from dissolving quickly!).
  • Freezing the whole batch: Bake the lemon bars as directed and allow them to cool. Before slicing, you can wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil and freeze for up to 1 month.
  • Freezing individual bars: Once sliced, place lemon bars on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.

If You Like These Lemon Bars, Try These:

Classic Lemon Bars (7)

Sweeten your summer with these tangy yet sweet lemon bars. Made with a creamy lemon filling and a buttery shortbread-style crust, this easy lemon bar recipe is perfect for cookie tables, backyard BBQs, and more!

If you make this recipe and love it, remember to stop back and give it a 5-star rating – it helps others find the recipe!❤️️

Classic Lemon Bars (8)

Lemon Bars

Yield: 24 bars

Prep Time: 45 minutes mins

Cook Time: 40 minutes mins

Total Time: 1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Classic Lemon Bars with a shortbread-style crust and silky smooth, slightly tart, sweet lemon custard on top. All they need is a dusting of powdered sugar!

4.69 (44 ratings)

Ingredients

For the Crust

  • cups (218.75 g) all-purpose flour
  • cup (80 g) powdered sugar, plus extra for decorating finished bars
  • ¼ cup (32 g) cornstarch
  • ¾ teaspoon (0.75 teaspoon) salt
  • ¾ cup (170.25 g) unsalted butter, at cool room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces

For the Filling

  • 4 eggs, beaten lightly
  • 1⅓ cups (266.67 g) granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, from about 2 large lemons
  • cup (162.67 ml) lemon juice
  • cup (81.33 ml) whole milk
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a 9×13-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper.

  • Make the Crust: Pulse flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a food processor. Add the butter and process for 8 to 10 seconds and then pulse until the mixture is pale yellow and resembles coarse meal, about three 1-second pulses. Sprinkle the mixture into the lined pan and press firmly into an even layer over the entire pan bottom and ½-inch up the sides. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, then bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

  • Make the Filling: Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, sugar and flour in a medium bowl, then stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, milk and salt to blend well.

  • Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Stir the filling mixture to reincorporate the ingredients, then pour into the warm crust. Bake until the filling feels firm when touched lightly, about 20 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack; cool to near room temperature, at least 30 minutes. Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment paper, then place on a cutting board to slice into squares. Sift powdered sugar over bars, if desired. Leftover bars can be covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 2 days.

Notes

  • Serving: Since lemon bars are fine to keep out at room temperature for a number of hours if they are on a serving platter at a party, for example.
  • Storing: Store cooked lemon bars or leftovers in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store for up to 2 days.
  • Freezing the whole batch: Bake the lemon bars as directed and allow them to cool. Before slicing, you can wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then foil and freeze for up to 1 month.
  • Freezing individual bars: Once sliced, place lemon bars on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, about 2 hours. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
  • You can prepare the crust by hand simply by whisking together the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Then, cut in the butter with a pastry blender (or grate frozen butter into the mixture and rub together quickly with your fingers) until completely incorporated and resembles coarse meal.
  • The filling needs to be poured into a warm crust straight from the oven, so once the crust is in the refrigerator chilling, prepare the filling so it’s ready when the crust comes out of the oven.

Nutritional values are based on one serving

Calories: 162kcal, Carbohydrates: 24g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 3g, Cholesterol: 42mg, Sodium: 85mg, Potassium: 33mg, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 220IU, Vitamin C: 2.8mg, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 0.6mg

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!

Author: Michelle

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Photography by Whitney Wright

82 Comments on “Easy Lemon Bars”

  1. Jenn Reply

    Tried these for the first time today. They were easy to put together and they’re DELICIOUS. So glad I made them with the intention of sharing 1/2 the pan…I will have no willpower with these bad boys. Thanks for yet another fantastic recipe.

  2. Maria Rhodes Reply

    Quite a unique recipe there. When I think about it, I might end up liking a tangy dessert once in a while. Definitely worth giving a try

  3. Laura Reply

    These are the best lemon bars I have ever tasted! Love the parchment paper suggestion. I will make these again soon! So easy and delicious 😋

  4. Charlie Trotter Reply

    This is an amazing…and it looks soo yummy & sound so delicious…i will trying to make it …Thanks for sharing….
    Love it!

  5. Linda Reply

    How much unsalted butter? It doesn’t say.

  6. Jen Reply

    I have made these this past summer and they are fantastic! Lately lemons have been hard to find in our local store. However Limes are quite plentiful. I wonder how this would fair if I swapped out limes for lemons. Do you recommend any other adjustments if I give it a try? I know limes can be a good bit more bitter than lemons.

  7. Linda from Boston Reply

    I just made a batch of these. I’ve been making lemon bars for a long time, and have tried many recipes. I have to say this is the best one ever. Love the cornstarch in the crust which makes it tender. Lemon flavor was perfect. I also like that it makes a 9 x 13” pan of them. Enough to share!!! I made the recipe as written. Thanks for all your recipes.

  8. Julianna Reply

    This recipe is amazing! The crust is so good! I love that it’s thicker. I left mine in for 30 minutes and that seemed just about right. I even tried this recipe a second time, but with lime juice and I made a coconut cream to go with it. Sooo good! Best lemon /lime bars I’ve ever had.

  9. Margie Curler Reply

    Thank you for sharing this recipe. Although the lemon bars are delicious, I don’t understand why we need to preheat the oven before preparing the crust to go into the fridge for 30 minutes. It seems like a waste of gas (or electricity) when preheating can start toward the last 10 minutes of the crust’s refrigeration.

  10. Julia K. Reply

    Made these this morning before church. Cut in to sample while fixing Easter dinner. Prepared exactly as written and they are fantastic! I may have to share them. Thanks.

  11. Robin Spivak Reply

    Nice lemony flavor and great crust, but the filling was watery. Any idea why? Also, I got a thin white film on the top which didn’t matter once I sifted the powdered sugar on top, but was wondering. Thanks!

  12. Janet Byers Reply

    how much butter?

  13. Andrina Mathew Reply

    tasty and delicious

  14. claudette Reply

    can you tell me if these freeze well? Thank you.

    • Michelle Reply

      Yes, you can freeze them up to 1 month!

  15. Christye Gibbs Reply

    I don’t have a food processor. Could I use a blender?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Christye, Yes that should work just fine!

  16. Neda Hilliard Reply

    Made these for a couple of caterings, and got rave reviews. The first time I did them, my sister helped but forgot to add the flour to the filling, so they took a little longer to bake but still tasted wonderful. The second time I made it without help (lol), and the bars were a little more firm. People who said they had never really liked lemon bars gave it a two-thumbs-up review. The little bit of milk in the filling gives it a creamy texture that is similar to lemon curd, but without all the expense and work of making a curd filling! This is now my go-to recipe. Thanks!!!

  17. Fredi Reply

    I have used your refrigerator bread and butter pickle recipe many times (just made another batch) and they are excellent. Going to do the lemon bars too.

    I really appreciate the detail you give and all the tips for each of your recipes. Like suggesting blotting the lemon bars after they been refrigerated. Very helpful.

    Thank you.

    • Michelle Reply

      Thank you for the incredibly kind comment, Fredi. It’s wonderful to know you find the recipes helpful!

  18. Heidelind Reply

    These are my ‘farewell-to-summer’ treats. This is a fantastic recipe. So good. I absolutely love the lemon and sweet combo. And I love the addition of powder sugar on the top!

  19. PAULA BROWN Reply

    I love trying new dessert recipes. I will be making these lemon bars, they look delicious.

  20. Debbie S Reply

    I made these yesterday and they are really, really good. They are easy to make and its not like the ones my sister use to make with a boxed mix. The lemon comes thru nicely. These will go with my list of must make again “bar recipes”. Thanks!!

  21. OH LA LATKES Reply

    I love anything lemon or lime and these bars sound fantastic. I will definitely try these. Thanks for sharing the recipe with us <3

    E || OH LA LATKES

  22. Patricia Melilli Reply

    I have a powdered sugar solution! King Arthur Flour has a non melting powered sugar. I used it when I had my bakery (my supplier also had a generic). You will never use anything else!!
    I love your blog, and your children are beautiful!

    • Michelle Reply

      Oh my gosh, thank you for the tip, I had no idea something like that existed!!

  23. Darci Reply

    Just made these and a thin white film formed over the top. Do you know why that happened???

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Darci, Do you mean immediately after baking, or after they sat for awhile? The powdered sugar will eventually dissolve into the top of the bars if left to sit out, so that could be it. If it happened immediately after baking, I’m not sure why that would happen.

  24. Nova Reply

    Hi does 1-1/3 cups granulated sugar mean 1 and 1/3 cups of sugar?

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Nova, Yes, sorry for the formatting issue.

  25. Rebecca Reply

    I would like to say…Oh my goodness. This is a fab recipe. I made the recipe twice. Once to try it and the second time for a Super Bowl party. Nothing is left from either pan. I made this for Pintrosity’s Pinstrosiversary and because I had some delicious lemons. Here is a link to my blog posting http://alaskanfamilylife.blogspot.com/2013/02/yum-yum-yummy-lemon-bars.html

  26. anne Reply

    I’ve had the same problem twice when making lemon bars. I’m using the parchment paper and somehow the filling is getting underneath the crust?! It makes it a mess. Any help on why this is happening?

    • Rebecca Reply

      Anne- Are you building the crust up along the edge? That would be my first thought. Press the crust down good on the bottom and build up about the length of a fingernail (the bed part, not to include the free edge). The other thing to check is buttering the parchment paper. Using a whole stick I rub it all over the pan, rub it onto the first layer of paper & press it down to seal the edges. I repeat the process on the second layer of paper that goes cross-wise to the first.

  27. Jody Strickland Reply

    Could I use 2% milk without messing up the recipe? That is all I have and want to make these today!

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Jody, Whole milk is best when working with custards, as it ensures a thick final product. You can try the 2%, but might find that the custard is a little thin.

  28. anne Reply

    I make lemon bars and while they taste great, I have a couple questions. Your recipe calls for milk, doesn’t that cut the tartness of the lemon? Also, a couple of times the filling has had a cratered type look to it after its baked. Do you know what would cause that? Thanks!

    • Michelle Reply

      Hi Anne, Yes, the milk does cut the tartness a bit, which creates a nice balance of flavor; it also helps to achieve the creamy texture. As for the craters, that could be due to some air pockets.

  29. Shannon Reply

    My most favorite lemon bars recipe so far is from Ina Garten, but I reduce the sugar in the filling to 2 1/2 cups.
    http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-bars-recipe/index.html

    I am always searching for even better, so I made your recipe today. They were very tasty, had a strong lemon flavor, and were not too sweet. I liked the crust because it was a bit thinner and a little bit more delicate. My crust did not brown as you have pictured above (and maybe that is why it seemed delicate?). I followed your directions exactly. I cooked them in a glass pan. Do you have any suggestions? Perhaps I should try again without the parchment?

    Either way, I think that I now have two favorite recipes.

    • Shannon Reply

      Okay. I now see the problem. After 20 minutes my crust had not browned, so I should have cooked it longer. Duh! I was trying to do too many things at one. Oh well!

  30. Barbara Reply

    Please…..can someone help me with Lemon Bars?? I have made at least five, maybe six different recipes for Lemon Bars and NONE were any good!!!!! The shortbread has always been good but the lemon mixture is gummy,thin and just terrible.
    I appreciate any and all replies.

  31. Danielle Reply

    Oh man, these were delicious! My Dad loves lemon so I made these mainly for him…but the entire family ended up loving them as well! Definitely will be making these bars again!

  32. srithasan Reply

    Lemon & custard flavor give a perfect balance of sweet and tasty desert.

  33. Glummy Mummy Reply

    These look absolutely heavenly and delightful. Going to give them a go soon, almost certain they’re going to taste as divine as they look! Just looking at the photos are making my mouth water :)

  34. Alexandra Reply

    Well, I made them, and I liked them. Grating the butter was such a greasy, messy hassle, and I think you can get the same effect just cutting in the butter. I definetly will not grate butter again! But they did turn out excellent! Everyone enjoyed them, and I really liked them too (first time eating a lemon bar). I might tone down the lemon flavour slightly next time, for my family’s palette, but thats pretty much the only adjustment.
    Thanks for the recipe!

  35. Avanika (Yumsilicious Bakes) Reply

    I love lemon-y desserts, these bars look perfect. Yumm!

  36. Maggy@ThreeManyCooks Reply

    I love lemon bars! They are so light and perfect with a cup of tea in the afternoon :)

  37. The Mom Chef Reply

    I’ve been a lemon fan since day one. The more pucker-power, the better. Same with lime. Your bars look delicious. Lemon bars are a favorite in our house. :)

  38. Kim - Liv Life Reply

    I know what you mean… I’m a coconut convert. Two years ago I wouldn’t touch it, now I can’t get enough. These bars look great… I had a lemon bar failure a few years back and have never tried again. These might do the trick though!

  39. Trish @IamSucceeding Reply

    LOVE LOVE LOVE Lemon bars!!!

  40. Cookin' Canuck Reply

    My dad has been asking me to make him lemon bars for ages. I will have to try this for him.

  41. Jen @ How To: Simplify Reply

    I love lemon bars. This is such a great recipe!

  42. Tracy Reply

    I love lemon bars and any lemon dessert really. Yum!

  43. Michelle Reply

    Ahhhh…lemon bars are one of our all time favorites!

  44. Ivy @ My Simple Food Reply

    Love sourness and tangyness of anything lemon. Never made these myself. Thanks for recipe!

  45. Lana @ Never Enough Thyme Reply

    Lemon is one of my favorite flavors, both in sweet and savory foods, and Lemon Bars are always a big hit around here! Great, classic recipe. Thanks for reminding me that I haven’t made these in far too long.

  46. Becky Reply

    I’ve made lemon bars for a long time, but especially at the holidays. I love lemon and lime for the tart, clean taste they give food, and drinks! I have had to re-powder sugar my lemon bars, too, and they’re fine.

  47. torviewtoronto Reply

    love making these looks delicious

  48. Ali Cakes Reply

    I have a wonderful lemon bar too. However, I have tried many of your suggestions, like your blackberry pie bar, so I will have to just try this recipe too. I’ll let you know how they compare.

  49. Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having Reply

    I’ve always been a lemon dessert lover. The sweet and tart combination are just like heaven to me. I can’t wait to try these bars!

  50. Kocinera Reply

    These lemon bars look so delicious! I love lemon desserts, especially in the summer when they add that bit of much-needed freshness.

  51. Alison Reply

    These looks great and I’m always looking for a good Lemon Square recipe!

  52. Melanie Reply

    I’ve never seen milk in a lemon bar recipe…maybe that’s why mine always come out so terribly!

  53. Camala - CC Recipe Reply

    I have been seriously craving lemon bars recently, great, now I want them even more!

  54. Natalie @ The City Sisters Reply

    I’ve eaten two desserts today already (I know!) and yet I think I could devour about four of these bad boys!! I love citrus. These lemon bars look fabulous!

  55. Kulsum@JourneyKitchen Reply

    I can literally live by citrus based desserts! Okay may be I can also live by desserts filled with nuts. TRUTH be told I can live by any kind of dessert. This surely goes on my must make list.

  56. Sprinkled with Flour Reply

    I love lemon bars, and lemon anything. These look like the perfect lemon bar!

  57. May Ling WU Reply

    Love love love love lemon bars. Forgot about them for a while. I think the sourness is great becuase it helps the dessert not be too sweet. Yours look so good!

  58. Barbara | VinoLuciStyle Reply

    One of my very favorite treats. I have a cookbook given to me for a Christmas present back when I first started baking called ‘The Artist in the Kitchen’ (copyright 1977!)and that’s when I first discovered lemon bars and have never wavered from that recipe. But I do love to see all the different variations on this theme…and I’ve even made lime bars once when I felt a desperate calling…they were good too!

    True confession. I made a pan once for a barbecue. Well, actually made it twice because I could not keep my sticky fingers out of the first pan and while maybe not finishing off the WHOLE thing…came close enough I didn’t want anyone to know. Til now.

    • Barbara Reply

      Hello and thanks for your quck reply…..I just thought before I try again I better tell you that I use Splenda due to being a diabetic. Could that be the reason My filling is rubbery? But in my 9×13 glass dish I have plenty of room for my delicious shortbread but my filling barley covers the shrotbread. If I sound frustrated…….I AM….sorry! maybe I should double the filling recipe???????
      Thanks so much. Barbara

      • Michelle

        Hi Barbara, I don’t bake with Splenda, but would imagine that using a sugar substitute in a recipe such as this could certainly affect the texture of the final product.

  59. Maria Reply

    I am a lemon lover! These look incredible! Perfect for summer too!

  60. Jamie Reply

    I have always loved lemon desserts, love them! I have a few great do-often recipes. These bars look so lemony luscious! Oh, I also love lemony savory dishes too. Yum!

  61. madge @ vegetariancasserolequeen Reply

    Those look divine! I’ve been craving lemon bars lately, but I’m the only lifelong addict (like Joanne!) in my house so I don’t bother making them. Maybe its time I attempt to convert the husband…

  62. Sues Reply

    Nothing better in the summer than lemon bars!! I just wish it FELT like summer here in Boston! These look delicious :)

  63. Kim @ Two Good Cookies Reply

    I have some lemons on my counter. Methinks they won’t be there long after this… :-)

  64. Eliana Reply

    Seriously – this could not look more amazing. Wish I had a couple of squares in front of me right now.

  65. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit Reply

    My boys always preferred lemon bars to brownies, but I am equal opportunity when it comes to sweets. I’ll have one of each, thank you! These look delicious.

  66. jaclyn@todayslady Reply

    I am most definitely a lemon convert! When I was younger I never ate anything lemon. I just didn’t think it would taste good…. I blame lemon jujubes and lemon suckers. I still dont like them! But somehow I started to try lemon desserts and I love them!! Especially the lemon-raspberry combo! Or blueberry, or cranberry…..

    These look delicious! I really want to make my own lemon squares. I’ve only ever had one lemon square in my life, and loved it!

  67. Joanne Reply

    I am a convert! If by convert you mean lifelong addict. These look fantastic!

  68. Aimee Reply

    I am a lemon convert too, and it starts to make me wonder what other great things I have been missing out on! I made my first lemon bars recently as well and am now in love. These look excellent!

  69. LimeCake Reply

    i love citrusy lemony desserts! there’s nothing better than classic lemon bars. yum!

Classic Lemon Bars (2024)

FAQs

What to do when lemon bars won't set? ›

Underbaking: This is the most common reason for gooey lemon bars. The filling needs enough time to set, which can be tricky since oven temperatures can vary and the visual cues for doneness are subtle. Solution: Bake the bars until the filling is just set and no longer wobbles when you gently shake the pan.

What is the trick to cutting lemon bars? ›

A tomato knife is just right for this task. Unlike a chef's knife, which has a blade that is on the thick side, a tomato knife is sharp, but thin and delicate. Meaning, it won't smash or mess up the edges of your lemon bars the way other knives do. With this knife, you will get a clean cut without any jagged edges.

Why can't I use a metal pan for lemon bars? ›

Metal can react with the acidity in the lemon juice, so to prevent a metallic taste in your lemon bars, ensure the cake tin is competely covered with parchment paper, or you can use a glass or ceramic dish too.

How long should lemon bars cool before cutting? ›

Allow the lemon bars to cool for at least an hour, then transfer to the refrigerator to chill for another two hours. Once chilled, remove from pan and peel away the parchment paper. I always dust with powdered sugar for a little visual contrast but that's optional. Use a SHARP damp knife to cut the bars.

Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated after baking? ›

Lemon bars should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated in order to prevent bacterial growth or foodborne illness. The filling in lemon bars is made with eggs and can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it's kept in the danger zone (between 41 and 153 degrees F).

Why are my lemon bars upside down? ›

Set a timer for 5 minutes after pulling the crust from the oven to ensure it doesn't cool too much—if the shortbread is allowed to reach room temperature, the uncooked lemon curd will slip off the top and pool in the bottom of the dish, turning your lemon bars upside down (sounds bananas until it happens to you!).

How to tell if lemon bars are undercooked? ›

The most common reason for gooey lemon bars is they're undercooked. Be sure to bake them until the top is fully set and no longer jiggly in the middle. You'll also notice the edges will start to brown.

How to keep lemon bars from sticking? ›

Line a 9 x 13 baking pan with parchment paper. This prevents your bars from sticking and makes it easier to remove. Stir together the dry ingredients for the shortbread, then cut in the butter until the mixture looks like crumbs.

How to cut sticky lemon bars? ›

Dusting the knife with powdered sugar before cutting lemon bars can help to reduce sticking and create cleaner cuts. However, this is optional and depends on personal preference. If you prefer a more polished appearance on the bars, you can lightly dust the knife before each cut.

How many lemons for 1 cup of juice? ›

So, for a cup of fresh lemon juice, you would need 5 and a quarter lemons. But, because some lemons are less juicy than others, it's safe to say you'd need 5 and a half lemons for a cup of lemon juice.

Why do my lemon bars have a film on top? ›

The crust forms when the sugar in the lemon bar mixture caramelizes and browns during baking, creating a slightly firm, crispy layer over the bars. The top crust isn't always visible, as we all enjoy sprinkling powdered sugar on top of the bars before serving.

How to keep powdered sugar from melting on lemon bars? ›

To Keep Powdered Sugar from Melting, Add Cornstarch

So go slow and be conservative with the amount of cornstarch you add. A good rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon of cornstarch for every 1/4 cup of powdered sugar used.

What's the best way to cut lemon bars? ›

A nice tip to remember when cutting lemon bars neatly is to clean the knife after each cut. To get even bars, start by cutting down the middle to make two even halves. Then cut the halves into fourths and the fourths into fourths.

Is powdered sugar the same as icing sugar? ›

Icing sugar, also known as powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar, is made by finely grinding granulated sugar until it is a very fine powder.

How to cut lemon bars in triangles? ›

Place the lemon bar on a cutting board. Begin by cutting diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner, following the pencil line. Make sure to apply even pressure and use a smooth motion to achieve a clean cut. Repeat this step on the other corner, creating a large triangle.

Can you rebake undercooked squares? ›

I am going out on a limb against popular opinions by saying, YES, it's okay to place your under baked or underdone cookies back into the oven for a second bake.

Can you freeze lemon bars after baking? ›

Yes, lemon bars freeze beautifully—they are even good frozen! To freeze the bars, let them cool completely and freeze the batch whole, covered tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, for up to three months. (The cut bars can also be frozen in a single layer.)

Why did my lemon bars crack when cooling? ›

Why did my lemon bars crack? Cracking can come from over beating your lemon custard filling mixture or in a drastic change of temperature (such as baking at too high of a temperature or if you take them out of the oven and place them in the fridge to speed up the chilling process).

Why did my lemon bars curdle? ›

If they used much more lemon juice, they'd: have to bake their bars for a long time to set them up, end up with a soggy crust, and. probably have curdled edges, where the hot pan would overcook the edges while waiting for the center to firm up.

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