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Lemon Bars – Finances Bytes


$3.81 recipe / $0.42 serving

Written by Beth – Finances Bytes

I most likely make too many lemon-flavored desserts, however can’t cease received’t cease! Lemon is my favourite taste on the subject of dessert as a result of I like the distinction between the candy and tart flavors. And this straightforward recipe for Lemon Bars is the excellent strategy to get that sweet-tart repair. I examined this recipe a number of occasions to get it simply the best way I prefer it—a wealthy and buttery shortbread crust topped with a thick and custardy, candy and tart, lemon-licious filling. Good day attractive!

A stack of three lemon bars on a blue background.

What’s in a Lemon Bar?

In case you’ve by no means had lemon bars, you’re in for a TREAT! This easy but wonderful dessert begins with a easy shortbread crust (butter + flour + sugar + salt). Subsequent we whip up a easy lemon custard, which is made with lemons, eggs, flour, and sugar. Pour the custard onto the crust, bake till it’s set, and BOOM. It’s actually that easy! The custard begins as a liquid after which thickens because it bakes in order that they’re tender however sliceable as soon as cooled.

Can I take advantage of Bottled Lemon Juice?

I selected to make use of recent lemons for this recipe as a result of I wished the FULL lemon expertise. Recent lemons provides you with essentially the most intense lemon taste as a result of not solely will the juice be recent however you’ll be capable to use the lemon zest, which actually boosts the lemon taste with out making it further bitter. Utilizing juice and zest is sort of a one-two taste punch! You received’t get taste as intense with bottled juice, however I can’t say that I’d flip down a lemon bar made with bottled juice. 😏

Are you able to Freeze Lemon Bars?

YES! That’s probably the greatest options of this recipe. In case you don’t plan to eat your lemon bars inside a number of days, be certain to freeze some! To freeze your lemon bars, allow them to chill fully within the fridge, then switch them to a parchment-lined baking sheet (every sq. separated) and freeze till strong. As soon as frozen, wrap the bars individually and place them in an air-tight freezer-safe container. They’ll keep good for about three months.

To thaw the frozen lemon bars, both allow them to thaw within the fridge over night time or allow them to thaw at room temperature for a few half hour.

Close up side view of a lemon bar being held in a hand.

Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are one of the best lemon dessert, that includes a easy shortbread crust and a wealthy and custardy lemon filling.

Writer: Beth – Finances Bytes

Chill time: 3 hrs

Complete Time: 4 hrs 10 minutes

Servings: 9

Shortbread Crust

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour ($0.12)
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar ($0.13)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • 6 Tbsp salted butter ($0.75)

Lemon Filling

  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar ($0.36)
  • 4 giant eggs ($0.78)
  • 3/4 cup lemon juice (about 4 lemons) + 1 Tbsp zest ($1.55)
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour ($0.08)

Topping (optionally available)

  • 1 Tbsp powdered sugar ($0.02)
  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF. In a big bowl, stir collectively the flour, powdered sugar, and salt for the shortbread crust till effectively mixed.

  • Soften the butter, then pour it into the bowl of dry components for the crust, and stir till every little thing is moistened and the combination seems barely crumbly.

  • Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Press the shortbread combination into the underside of the dish in a fair layer.

  • Switch the baking dish to the oven and bake the crust for 25 minutes*, or simply till the sides are flippantly golden.

  • Whereas the crust is baking, juice and zest your lemons. You may want ¾ cup lemon juice and 1 Tbsp zest.

  • Start to make the filling. In a big bowl, whisk collectively the sugar, flour, eggs, and zest till easy. Add the lemon juice and whisk till easy once more.

  • When the crust is completed baking, pour the lemon filling into the baking dish on high of the crust, then switch it again to the oven and proceed to bake for one more half-hour, or till the middle now not jiggles.

  • Let the lemon bars cool for about 10 minutes earlier than transferring to the fridge to sit back fully.

  • As soon as the lemon bars are fully chilled, take away them from the baking dish, slice into 9 items, after which mud with about 1 Tbsp powdered sugar. Get pleasure from!

*In case you’re utilizing a steel baking dish, the baking time could also be barely shorter.

See how we calculate recipe prices right here.


Serving: 1 sq.Energy: 349 kcalCarbohydrates: 61 gProtein: 5 gFats: 10 gSodium: 157 mgFiber: 1 g

Dietary values are estimates solely. See our full vitamin disclaimer right here.


The gear part above comprises affiliate hyperlinks to merchandise we use and love. As an Amazon Affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Overhead view of lemon bars sliced and placed in a grid.

Tips on how to Make Lemon Bars – Step by Step Photographs

Dry ingredients for the shortbread crust in a bowl.

Preheat the oven to 325ºF. In a big bowl, mix 1 cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup powdered sugar, and ¼ tsp salt. Stir them collectively till very effectively mixed.

Melted butter being poured into the bowl of dry ingredients.

Soften 6 tablespoons of salted butter. Pour the butter into the bowl of dry components and stir till mixed.

Shortbread crust mixture in a bowl.

The shortbread crust combination ought to appear like this. Sort of crumbly, nevertheless it ought to maintain collectively if you happen to squeeze some in your fist.

Shortbread crust pressed into a baking dish.

Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Press the shortbread combination into the underside of the dish in a fair layer. Switch it to the preheated 325ºF oven and bake for 25 minutes or till it’s simply barely golden on the sides (if utilizing a steel pan, baking time could also be barely shorter).

Juices and zested lemons on a cutting board.

Whereas the crust is baking, zest and juice the lemons. You’ll want about 1 Tbsp lemon zest and ¾ cup of lemon juice. Don’t overlook to pressure the seeds out of your juice! 😉

Custard ingredients, minus juice, in a bowl.

Add 1.5 cups granulated sugar, ¾ cup all-purpose flour, 4 giant eggs, and 1 Tbsp lemon zest to a bowl, then whisk collectively till easy. I prefer to whisk these components collectively earlier than including the juice as a result of it helps stop lumps of flour. The combination shall be thick at this stage.

Juice being poured into the bowl with the custard ingredients.

Subsequent, add the ¾ cup of lemon juice and whisk collectively till easy.

Custard being poured into the baking dish on top of the crust.

As soon as the crust has completed baking, pour the custard combination into the baking dish on high of the crust.

Baked lemon bars in the baking dish.

Switch the baking dish again into the oven and bake for one more half-hour, or till it’s golden across the edges and the middle now not jiggles. Let the bars cool for about ten minutes earlier than transferring to the fridge to completely chill.

Powdered sugar being dusted onto sliced lemon bars.

As soon as the lemon bars have chilled fully, carry them out of the baking dish utilizing the parchment paper, then slice into 9 items. Frivolously mud the highest of the squares with a tablespoon of powdered sugar. Get pleasure from!

Overhead view of sliced lemon bars on a blue background.

Love Lemons? Strive Thes Different Lemon Desserts

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