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Flavorful Lemon Bars Recipe Easy Homemade Buttery Shortbread Crust

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These lemon bars feature a tangy lemon filling balanced perfectly with a rich, crumbly buttery shortbread crust. They are quick, easy, and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup (32g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3–4 lemons)
  • Zest of 2 lemons
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Powdered sugar (for dusting)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch pan lightly with butter or line with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3-4 minutes with electric mixer or 5-6 minutes by hand).
  3. Add 2 cups flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix just until combined; dough should be crumbly but hold together when pressed. Do not overmix.
  4. Press dough evenly into prepared pan, covering bottom and a bit up the sides. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are light golden brown.
  5. While crust bakes, whisk together 4 large eggs and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until smooth.
  6. Add 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, zest of 2 lemons, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract if using. Whisk until fully combined and slightly frothy.
  7. Pour lemon filling evenly over hot crust. Return to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until filling is set but slightly jiggly in center. Toothpick should come out mostly clean.
  8. Remove from oven and let cool at room temperature for about 1 hour. Then chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours to fully set.
  9. Slice with a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Notes

Use softened butter, not melted, for the crust. Do not overmix the filling to avoid bubbles or cracks. Chill bars before slicing for clean cuts. Fresh lemon juice and zest are recommended for best flavor. Running knife under hot water before slicing helps achieve clean edges. The filling may crack slightly on top, which is normal.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon bars, lemon dessert, shortbread crust, easy lemon bars, homemade lemon bars, buttery crust, tangy lemon filling

Find it online: https://bitefuljoy.com/flavorful-lemon-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-buttery-shortbread-crust/