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Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

These easy Classic Lemon Bars are tart, refreshing and simply the BEST lemon squares you will ever eat! Made up of thick tangy lemon curd sitting on a buttery shortbread crust then topped with tons of powdered sugar, these easy to make lemon bars are irresistible! 

Classic Lemon Bars with a bite

Easy Lemon Bars

I will be the first to admit that historically speaking, I am not a classic lemon bar kind of girl.

I am not a fan of lemon custard or lemon curd or any kind of flan or things of that nature so I naturally assumed that lemon bars aka lemon squares would not be my jam (pun intended!) at all.

Pfffffftttttt…..

This is one easy lemon dessert recipe that is wholeheartedly my jam, apparently, as I unapologetically inhaled multiple tangy, tart lemon bars at the speed of light with no regard for others.

.. munch .. munch .. munch … 

Best lemon bars EVER!

By the way, if you love lemon flavor like me, don’t forget to check out my Lemon Donut Bundt Cake, Blueberry Lemon Bread and my Pink Lemonade Cake.

 Easy Classic Lemon Bars

What Are Lemon Bars?

Lemon bars are super tender buttery shortbread crust topped off with a delicate tart and tangy lemon curd then sprinkled with way too much powdered sugar.

The lemon curd filling is thick and the buttery shortbread crust crumbly in the very best way.

They are packed with intense lemon flavor and there is just a slight snap as you bite into them before you lick the powdered sugar off your fingers.  Heaven in a 3 x 3 square!

Why These Lemon Squares Are The Best!

  • Flavor: Tart, tangy refreshing lemon bars are the perfect easy dessert to bring to every summer BBQ, pool party and get together.
  • Easy: These easy lemon squares are made with just a handful of ingredients you probably already have on hand.
  • Thick: This classic lemon bar recipe delivers a thick layer of lemon curd, not a thin layer as so many other recipes call for.
  • Potluck Approved: Need a quick lemon dessert recipe for every spring and summer potluck, barbeque and pool party? Here you go..

Lemon Bar Ingredients

  • All purpose flour –  Gives the perfect amount of structure to both the buttery shortbread crust and the lemon curd filling.
  • Sugar –  Perfect sweetener to balance the tartness of the lemon filing.
  • Lemons – Fresh squeezed for optimum flavor.
  • Butter – no substitutions, please! Real butter is the base of this perfect shortbread crust.
  • Eggs – Stabilizes and gives structure to the lemon filling.
  • Baking Powder – helps to thicken the lemon curd.
  • Powdered Sugar – An extra layer of sweetness ton top!

Easy Classic Lemon Bars stacked on a plate

Easy Lemon Bars – Step by Step

To make these easy lemon squares, preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper and set aside. 

Start with your shortbread crust.  In a large mixing bowl, add flour, powdered sugar, salt, lemon zest and cold butter cut into little pieces.

Lemon Bars shortbread crust ingredients

Using your hands or an electric mixer, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it all looks like crumbs.

Lemon Bars shortbread dough

Keep mixing your dough until it no longer looks like crumbs and it comes together to make a crust dough.

Take that dough and evenly press into the bottom of your baking pan. Bake your shortbread crust for 20 minutes.

Classic Lemon Bars crust in a pan

While your crust is baking, add eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, lemon juice and lemon zest to a large mixing bowl. Mix well until your lemon curd mixture is loose and a bit frothy.

Classic Lemon Bars lemon curd

Once your crust is done, remove from the oven and pour your lemon curd mix on top of the crust. 

Reduce your oven temp to 350 degrees and bake your lemon bars for another 25 minutes. 

Remove from the oven and move pan to a wire rack to cool. 

Wait 30 minutes and then remove the lemon bars from the pan by picking up the edges of the parchment paper and carefully (they are super gentle at this point!) to baking sheet. 

Easy Classic Lemon Bars

Move your baking sheet to the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour before dusting them with powdered sugar.  These classic lemon bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Pro Tips for Classic Lemon Squares

  • This classic lemon bar recipe calls for a lot of lemon zest.  You are going to need around 6 lemons but I promise it’s worth it!
  • If  you find your shortbread is giving you trouble while you are trying to get it to it’s dough stage, set your mixer aside and get your hands in there! I found the easiest way to bring my dough together was to get my hands in the bowl and start crumbling the butter together with the dry ingredients and then mix with my electric mixer. I went back and forth doing this a few times and my crust came out perfect. 
  • If you find that your lemon zest has stuck to your electric beaters, simply swish your beaters (in Off position) through your lemon curd mixture and use a soft spatula to release the remaining zest from your beater.
  • Use a small fine mesh strainer to dust your lemon bars with powdered sugar.  It makes life so easy and I use that strainer on a daily basis for various reasons so if you don’t already own one, it’s an inexpensive investment that you won’t regret.

Lemon Bars powdered sugar

How to Zest a Lemon

What is lemon zest, you ask? Lemon zest is the outer rind of the lemon, the yellow layer on the outside of the lemon.

It’s most loved for the strong lemon flavor it brings to food due to the aromatic oils in the rind.

To zest a lemon, use a sharp paring knife, veggie peeler or a zester.

Simply drag the utensil lightly but firmly across the rind of the lemon, removing only the outside yellow rind layer.

The white layer is called the pith and can be quite bitter so you want to be careful not to include that with your zest.

Easy Classic Lemon Bars lemon zest

How To Zest a Lemon Without a Grater

Don’t have a proper lemon grater? No worries!!!

Simply grab a fork and gently but firmly use the tines to grate the outmost layer from the lemon.

You could also grab a sharp knife and peel the zest from the lemon or use a vegetable peeler to strip the outer layers from the lemon. 

Then either dice your strips in tiny pieces or pulse them in a food processor before adding them to your recipe.

Kitchen Tools To Make Life Easier!

While not necessary to make these lemon bars, there are a few kitchen tools that I simply cannot live without.

They also both happen to make this easy lemon dessert recipe quicker and easier to make.

First is this handy dandy fruit juice squeezer.  I am sure that is not the technical name for this juice squeezing gadget but it’s basically what it does. 

Simply cut your fruit (lemon, in this case) in half and place it upside down in the cavity, bring the top and bottom together and squeeze. 

Squeezing juice from a fruit has never been so easy. 

Next, is my zester.  This is a handheld utensil that is great for zesting fruit and even hard cheeses like Parmesan. Love, love, love both of these and use them all the time!

Lemon Bars zester and juicer tools

Trick to Perfectly Sliced Lemon Bars

Line your baking pan with parchment paper so the edges can be picked up by the corners and when your classic lemon bars are done.

This will allow the whole pan of lemon bars to lift out without breaking.

Then, using a sharp knife, slice off the edges of your lemon bars before you cut them into squares. 

Once your sides have been removed, dust your lemon bars with powdered sugar and then cut your lemon bars into even squares.

Then redust with a bit more powdered sugar before storing them in an airtight container.

More Easy Lemon Recipes

Enjoy ♥ Heather

Classic Lemon Bars with a bite

Easy Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

Classic Lemon Bars with a bite
Classic Lemon Bars are tart, refreshing and simply the BEST lemon squares! Made up of thick tangy lemon curd sitting on a buttery shortbread crust then topped with tons of powdered sugar, these easy to make lemon bars are irresistible! 
Heather
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Serving Size 12

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • 1-1/2 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 lemons .. zest only
  • 1 cup cold butter .. cut in small pieces

Lemon Filling

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1-3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice .. about 2 lemons
  • 2-3 lemons .. zest only

Topping

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and line a 9 x 13 pan with parchment paper and set aside.  
  • Start with your shortbread crust. In a large mixing bowl, add flour, powdered sugar, salt, lemon zest and cold butter cut into little pieces. Using your hands or an electric mixer, cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it all looks like crumbs and then keep mixing until a dough forms. Take that dough and evenly press into the bottom of your baking pan. Bake your shortbread crust for 20 minutes. 
  • While your crust is baking, add eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, lemon juice and lemon zest to a large mixing bowl and mix well until your lemon curd mixture is loose and a bit frothy. Once your crust is done, remove from the oven and pour your lemon curd mix on top of the crust. Reduce your oven temp to 350 degrees and bake your Easy Classic Lemon Bars for anther 25 minutes. 
  • Remove from the oven and move pan to a wire rack to cool. Wait 30 minutes and then remove the lemon bars from the pan by picking up the edges of the parchment paper and carefully (they are super gentle at this point!) to baking sheet. Move your baking sheet to the refrigerator to chill for 1 hour before dusting them with powdered sugar. Lemon Bars can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

  • This classic lemon bar recipe calls for a lot of lemon zest.  You are going to need around 6 lemons but I promise it's worth it!
  • If  you find your shortbread is giving you trouble while you are trying to get it to it's dough stage, set your mixer aside and get your hands in there! I found the easiest way to bring my dough together was to get my hands in the bowl and start crumbling the butter together with the dry ingredients and then mix with my electric mixer. I went back and forth doing this a few times and my crust came out perfect. 
  • If you find that your lemon zest has stuck to your electric beaters, simply swish your beaters (in Off position) through your lemon curd mixture and use a soft spatula to release the remaining zest from your beater.
  • Use a small fine mesh strainer to dust your lemon bars with powdered sugar.  It makes life so easy and I use that strainer on a daily basis for various reasons so if you don't already own one, it's an inexpensive investment that you won't regret.

Nutrition

Serving: 12g | Calories: 242.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 19.4g | Protein: 4.1g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 103.4mg | Sodium: 163.4mg | Potassium: 62.4mg | Fiber: 0.7g | Sugar: 5.2g | Vitamin A: 680IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg

Update Notes: This post was originally published in April of 2019 but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and tips in February of 2024.

 

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