Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
tangy lemon bars recipe - featured image

Tangy Lemon Bars Recipe with Buttery Shortbread Crust

  • Author: SALY
  • Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings 1x

Description

Bright, zesty lemon bars with a buttery, flaky shortbread crust that melts in your mouth. Perfectly balanced tang and richness make these bars a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour (250g)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar (60g), sifted
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (170g), cold, cut into cubes
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar (300g)
  • 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons, 160ml)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (30g)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  2. Add cold, cubed butter and blend with fingers or pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces.
  3. Press crust evenly and firmly into a lined 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges start to turn golden but crust is not browned.
  4. While crust bakes, whisk together 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 1/4 cup flour in a bowl.
  5. Add eggs, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest; whisk until smooth and slightly frothy.
  6. Pour lemon filling over the baked crust carefully.
  7. Return pan to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until filling is just set with a slight wobble in the center.
  8. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack for 30 minutes, then chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
  9. Use parchment paper to lift bars from pan, dust with powdered sugar, and cut into squares or rectangles.
  10. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Chill the crust before adding the filling to avoid sogginess. Use fresh lemons for best flavor. Press crust firmly to prevent crumbling. Do not overbake the filling; it should have a slight wobble when done. Clean knife between cuts for neat slices. For extra richness, add 1 tablespoon cream cheese to filling. Bars taste better after chilling overnight. Avoid freezing as filling may become watery.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar (approximate)
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 18
  • Sodium: 75
  • Fat: 9
  • Saturated Fat: 5
  • Carbohydrates: 28
  • Fiber: 1
  • Protein: 3

Keywords: lemon bars, lemon dessert, shortbread crust, tangy lemon bars, homemade lemon bars, easy lemon bars, summer dessert

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Find it online: https://cookiqa.com/tangy-lemon-bars-recipe-with-buttery-shortbread-crust-everyone-loves/