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+ servings
3 easy lemon bars stacked on top of each other.

Easy Homemade Lemon Bars

Brooke Homec
These easy homemade lemon bars are both tart and sweet, with a flaky shortbread crust. The perfect spring treat that will leave you wanting more and more!
5 from 13 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 197 kcal

Ingredients
 

Shortbread Crust:

  • 1 cup (140 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
  • ½ cup (113.5 g) salted butter room temperature
  • ¼ teaspoon (0.25 teaspoon) salt

Lemon Filling:

  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • zest from a lemon
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice, about 1 small lemon
  • powdered sugar for topping

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 350 F. Spray and line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper.
  • In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, powdered sugar, butter and salt. Beat in butter at a low speed until crumbly. I look for little pea sized balls of dough coming together.
  • Press mixture evenly along the bottom of your prepared pan. Bake for 14-17 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges. While the crust is baking prepare the filling.
  • Add your cup of granulated sugar to a small bowl and add the zest of a large lemon. Rub together the zest and sugar until becomes fragrant.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs until they are a lighter yellow color, about 30 seconds. Add lemon sugar, flour, baking powder and pinch of salt and mix together. Stir in lemon juice.
  • When the crust is done baking, pour the filling over the warm crust. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15-18 minutes, until the top has a light golden brown over most of it. Leave to cool completely.
  • Once cooled, I like to sift powdered sugar along the top. I prefer to chill my bars. I find them easier to have a clean cut that way, and also like the taste of the lemony filling cold.

Notes

If doubling and baking in a 9x13 pan, add 3-5 minutes onto the crust and another 3-5 minutes onto the filling when baking.
You can use regular or Meyer lemons for this recipe.
I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.

Nutrition

Calories: 197kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 2gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 139mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 19gVitamin A: 282IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 19mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!