Lemon Bars

February 5, 2016 by Lisia Childs
Lemon Bars
Lemon Bars
These lemon bars are the perfect balance of tangy, sweet, tart, smooth, and melt-in-your mouth delicious!
Lemon Bars Recipe

Easy Step-By-Step Instructions for Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars
Melt 1 cup butter, and allow to cool. Preheat oven to 340 degrees F. (I know that’s a weird temperature, but that’s how it is).
Lemon Bars
Cut an approximately 3 foot length of aluminum foil, and fold it in half. Fold each of the ends over about an inch to make reinforced “handles.” You’ll use them to lift the bars out of the pan.
Lemon Bars
Press the foil into a 13 x 9 inch baking pan, and lightly coat with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.
Lemon Bars
In a mixing bowl whisk together: 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup powdered sugar, ½ cup cornstarch, ¾ teaspoon salt,
Lemon Bars
Pour melted butter over flour mixture , and stir to form a dough.
Lemon Bars Recipe
Press dough into bottom of prepared baking pan, and bake at 340 degrees for 25 minutes.
Lemon Bars
While the crust is baking, prepare the filling as follows. Thoroughly wash and dry 4 or 5 lemons. Remove 1 tablespoon of zest (each lemon produces about ½ tablespoon of zest). I used 2 lemons. Then cut the lemons in half and squeeze ¾ cup juice from them. (each lemon produces between 1/8 and 1/4 cup juice). I used 5 lemons. I squeeze the juice through a strainer to remove seeds.
Lemon Bars
In a mixing bowl, whisk together ½ cup granulated sugar and 3 tablespoons flour. Set aside
Lemon Bars
In a separate bowl, whisk 4 eggs until smooth and frothy.
Lemon Bars
Add eggs, lemon zest, and juice to the flour mixture, and beat with whisk until completely incorporated.
Lemon Bar Cookies
When crust is baked, remove from oven, and …
Lemon Bars
… slowly pour filling on top.
Lemon Bars
Return to oven for another 25 minutes.
Lemon Bars
Remove from oven, and allow to cool in pan for 10 minutes.
Homemade Lemon Bars
Use foil “handles” to gently lift from pan, and place directly on a rack to cool completely.
Lemon Bars
When cool, use “handles” to return to baking dish, cover tightly, and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
Lemon Bars
When ready to serve, remove from pan, peel back foil, and sprinkle top with ½ cup powdered sugar.
Homemade Lemon Bars
Cut into squares, and …
Lemon Bars Recipe
… serve!
Lemon Bars Recipe
They’re delicious served with whipped cream, or vanilla ice cream

Free Printable Recipe for Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars

Lemon Bars

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour

Ingredients
  

Crust Ingredients:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup butter melted and cooled

Filling Ingredients:

  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • ¾ cup lemon juice 4-5 lemons
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ½ cup powdered sugar for sprinkling on top

Instructions
 

Crust Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 340 degrees F.
  • Melt butter, and set aside to cool.
  • Line a 13 x 9 inch pan with foil. (I use a 3 fool piece, folded in half. Then I fold each end over about an inch to create reinforced handles.
  • Spray the foil with non-stick baking spray.
  • Whisk flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt until combined. Add cooled butter, and mix to form dough. Press into foil lined pan.
  • Bake at 340 degrees for 25 minutes.

Filling Directions:

  • While crust is baking, wash lemons, and remove 1 tablespoon zest. Squeeze ¾ cup juice.
  • Whisk together eggs, sugar and flour. Then add zest and juice and whisk until completely incorporated.
  • Remove crust from oven, and pour lemon mixture on top. Carefully return to oven and bake another 25 minutes.
  • Remove from oven, and allow to cool 10 minutes on a cooling rack. Using the reinforced ends of the foil, gently lift from pan, and cool the rack. When completely cool, return to baking pan, cover tightly, and refrigerate several hours or overnight.
  • Just before serving, sift powdered sugar over top, and cut into squares.
  • Serve plain or garnished with whipped cream, ice cream, or berries.