Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust Recipe are a classic family favorite- they’re super easy to throw together with a bright and tangy-sweet lemon curd layer and shortbread crust.
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Why You’ll Love These Lemon Bars
I think dessert-loving people fall into one of two categories. Chocolate Dessert Lovers and Fruity Dessert Lovers. And although I try to be an equal opportunity eater- and I really do love chocolate- I am a Fruity Dessert Lover. Guilty as charged, no regrets!
I probably don't share enough fruity dessert recipes, so I figured I should probably share this lemon bars recipe. I mean who doesn't love lemon squares? A delicious layer of buttery shortbread topped with sweet and tangy lemon curd and a dusting of confectioners sugar. It's a dessert of champions for sure
Here’s why you’ve got to try this:
- Simple ingredients
- Minimal work
- Sweet but also tangy
- Very easy to make
- A traditional classic recipe
Ingredient Information And Substitutions:
- Shortbread- The bottom layer is a simple shortbread cookie made of butter, flour and confectioners sugar. I prefer to use salted butter for this recipe as it adds another delicious dimension to the flavor without overpowering the cookie.
- Lemon curd- Although the idea of making lemon curd can sound intimidating, in this particular recipe, it’s as simple as mixing a few common ingredients together. Eggs and baking powder add fluffiness and leavening, granulated sugar provides sweetness and lemon juice adds the perfect tang to balance out the sweetness. A pinch of kosher salt rounds out all the flavors and brings it all together.
How To Make This Lemon Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Mix together the shortbread ingredients
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8” x 8” baking pan with parchment. Using an electric or stand mixer, mix the butter, flour and confectioners sugar until well combined. It’ll look crumbly and that’s ok.
Step 2: Press cookie dough into the pan and bake
Gently press the dough together into a single layer in the pan, pressing it up the sides of the pan about a ½ inch. I like to use a drinking glass with a flat bottom. Bake for 25 minutes.
Step 3: Make the lemon curd
Rinse out and dry your mixer bowl and then in that same bowl combine eggs, lemon juice, granulated sugar, baking powder and salt until fluffy and well combined, about 2 minutes.
Step 4: Top shortbread with lemon curd and bake
Once the shortbread layer is done baking, pour the lemon curd over the top, spreading into an even layer. Bake for another 40 minutes and then remove from the oven and cool completely.
Step 5: Sprinkle with confectioners sugar
Once cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into squares and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this particular recipe will last for a week stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator.
The easiest way to line the pan with parchment paper or foil with extra hanging over the sides, this will make it easier to pull out of the pan in one piece and cut.
If you lightly touch the center, it shouldn't make an imprint.
Yes! Just refrigerate until you're ready to serve.
Yes! If you prefer to make graham cracker crust lemon bars, simply omit the shortbread ingredients and steps. I love this recipe for graham cracker crust.
Tips For Making Lemon Squares
- Soften your butter to room temperature.
- Use a flat-bottom drinking glass to gently press the shortbread dough into the pan to help create a tight, even layer.
- Use real lemon juice if you can, it makes all the difference.
- Be sure to roll the lemon while pressing it down on your counter before juicing to get the most juice out of the lemon.
- Storage and leftovers- These will last up to 4 days covered in the refrigerator.
Make it a What To Serve With this Lemon Bars Recipe
A few great recipes to round out and complete this meal would be:
- Italian Chicken Stew
- Mom's Meatloaf
- Roasted Beet Salad
- Summer Bounty Strawberry Salad
- Four Ingredient Chocolate Mousse
- Cherry Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie Bars
Other Delicious Lemon Dessert Recipes:
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down. Check out my Amazon Store for all my favorite tools, including those used in this recipe. And follow @thelifejolie on Instagram and TikTok!
Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup salted butter
- ¼ cup confectioner's sugar + more for dusting
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment or foil, letting the ends hang out for easy removal later (if using foil, grease with cooking spray first).
- Mix flour, butter and confectioner's sugar until well combined.
- Press evenly into the pan building it up around a ½ inch around the edges and set aside.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- While the crust bakes, beat together eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, kosher salt and lemon juice until well combined an smooth.
- When crust is done baking, pour lemon mixture evenly over the crust.
- Bake for around 25 minutes or until there's no imprint left behind when you lightly press the middle.
- Cool and remove from pan in one piece.
- Cut into squares and dust with confectioners sugar. Serve immediately or refrigerate until serving.
Yana Butterfield says