🍋 Lemon Bars – Fresh & Easy Classic Dessert

There’s something timeless and refreshing about Lemon Bars. These buttery, tangy dessert squares are the perfect balance of sweet and tart — featuring a melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust topped with a smooth lemon filling and a dusting of powdered sugar. They’re bright, elegant, and surprisingly easy to make at home.

Just like our Banana Bread and No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake, these Lemon Bars prove that simple desserts made with fresh ingredients can taste absolutely divine.

Why You’ll Love These Lemon Bars

There are plenty of reasons why this bars have been a favorite dessert for generations:

• Bright & refreshing flavor: The zesty lemon taste is the perfect palate cleanser.
• Simple ingredients: Everything you need is already in your kitchen.
• Beautiful presentation: That dusting of powdered sugar makes them look bakery-perfect.
• Perfect for any occasion: Great for spring parties, picnics, or holiday dessert tables.

They’re elegant enough for guests, yet easy enough for a quick weekend treat.

How to Make Lemon Bars

Making dessert is easier than it looks! You’ll only need two main components — the crust and the lemon filling.

1. Prepare the crust: Combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt, then cut in cold butter until crumbly. Press the mixture into a lined baking pan and bake until lightly golden.
2. Make the filling: Whisk together eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and zest until smooth and slightly frothy.
3. Bake again: Pour the filling over the hot crust and bake until the center is just set.
4. Cool and dust: Once baked, let cool completely, refrigerate for an hour, then dust with powdered sugar.

The result? Soft, buttery bars with a perfectly balanced lemony kick in every bite.

Tips for Perfect Lemon Bars

To get the best Lemon Bars every time, here are a few expert tips:

• Use fresh lemons: Bottled juice just won’t have the same vibrant flavor.
• Chill before slicing: Cold bars cut cleanly and neatly.
• Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a sharper lemon taste, reduce the sugar slightly.
• Double the batch: These bars disappear fast — better make extra!

A well-made batch of Lemon Bars feels like sunshine in dessert form: soft, tangy, and light.

Variations You’ll Love

Once you master the classic version, try experimenting with these fun twists:

• Lime Bars: Replace lemon juice and zest with lime for a tropical touch.
• Berry Lemon Bars: Add a thin layer of raspberry puree before pouring the lemon filling.
• Gluten-Free Lemon Bars: Use almond flour for the crust.
• Coconut Lemon Bars: Sprinkle shredded coconut on top before baking for added texture.

The lemon bar’s versatility is one reason it has stood the test of time — it’s been a popular dessert since the mid-20th century (Wikipedia: Lemon Bars).

Lemon Bars – Fresh & Easy Classic Dessert

These Lemon Bars are a perfect balance of sweet and tangy, featuring a buttery shortbread crust and a silky lemon filling. Easy to make, bright in flavor, and dusted with powdered sugar, they’re ideal for spring gatherings, holidays, or any time you crave a refreshing dessert.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 50 minutes mins

Servings: 16 bars

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 190

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• For the crust:
• 250 g all-purpose flour
• 80 g powdered sugar
• 200 g unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• 2 g salt
• For the lemon filling:
• 4 large eggs
• 250 g granulated sugar
• 30 g all-purpose flour
• 120 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 5 g lemon zest (1 large lemon)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• 20×30 cm baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Zester

Method

 

1. Preheat oven: Set to 175°C and line a 20×30 cm baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Make crust: In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Press into pan and bake 20 minutes until lightly golden.
   
3. Prepare filling: Whisk together eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and zest until smooth.
   
4. Bake again: Pour lemon mixture over hot crust. Bake 15–20 minutes until center is set.
5. Cool & dust: Let cool completely, refrigerate 1 hour, then dust with powdered sugar before slicing.
   

Notes

• Use fresh lemons for best flavor.
• Chill before cutting for clean edges.
• Add extra zest for stronger lemon taste.
• Store in fridge up to 5 days in airtight container.

Serving & Storage

Serve those lemon squares chilled or at room temperature. They pair wonderfully with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

For storage:

• Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freeze individual bars with parchment between layers for up to 3 months.

When ready to serve, just dust with powdered sugar to refresh their look.

Final Thoughts

If you love bright, citrusy desserts, these lemon squares will quickly become a favorit dessert. The buttery shortbread base and silky lemon layer create the perfect contrast of textures and flavors. Whether for a brunch, a holiday table, or a simple afternoon craving, this recipe never disappoints.These Lemon Bars are a true classic that never goes out of style. Their fresh citrus aroma and buttery base make them the ultimate spring and summer dessert — light, zesty, and guaranteed to brighten your day.

For more sweet inspiration, check out our Pistachio Cheesecake or Chocolate Lava Cake — two other crowd-pleasers that perfectly balance richness and simplicity.