Brighten up your dessert table with these irresistible Zesty Lemon Bars, a perfect balance of tangy and sweet with a melt-in-your-mouth buttery crust. This easy-to-follow recipe combines fresh lemon juice, vibrant lemon zest, and a velvety filling baked atop a golden shortbread base for a citrusy treat that’s pure sunshine. Ready in under an hour with just 15 minutes of prep, these rich, refreshing bars are ideal for any occasion, from picnics to festive gatherings. Finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar, they offer a dazzling presentation and a burst of bold lemon flavor in every bite. Perfect for lemon lovers and anyone seeking a crowd-pleasing dessert, these bars are sure to become a go-to favorite.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy removal.
In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add 2 cups of flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt to the butter mixture, and mix until a crumbly dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup flour, fresh lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined.
Pour the lemon filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly.
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggly in the center.
Remove the lemon bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan at room temperature.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the lemon bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
Dust the top generously with powdered sugar and slice into 16 squares or bars.
Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Serving size | 1310.4 grams (1310.4g) |
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Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
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Calories | 4615 |
Total Fat 215.10g | 276% |
Saturated Fat 128.00g | 640% |
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g | |
Cholesterol 1261mg | 420% |
Sodium 910mg | 40% |
Total Carbohydrate 640.60g | 233% |
Dietary Fiber 9.00g | 32% |
Total Sugars 420.40g | |
Protein 54.70g | 109% |
Vitamin D 160IU | 800% |
Calcium 227mg | 17% |
Iron 17mg | 93% |
Potassium 820mg | 17% |
Source of Calories