🍋 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.

If you love easy desserts with a creamy texture, you’ll also enjoy Classic Tiramisu — a rich Italian favorite that’s always a crowd-pleaser.

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.

For another simple dessert that’s cozy and comforting, try Apple Crumble — warm, buttery, and perfect with a scoop of ice cream.


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.
Lemon Bars final dish – square lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with lemon slices and zest

Lemon Bars – Fresh & Easy Classic Dessert

5 from 2 votes
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.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 190

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.
    Lemon Bars step 2 – lemon filling mixture of eggs, sugar, flour, and lemon juice being whisked in glass bowl
  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.
    Lemon Bars final dish – square lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with lemon slices and zest

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.

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.

And if you’re craving another dessert that’s rich and effortless, No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake is a creamy treat you’ll want to make next.

Lemons are widely used in desserts thanks to their bright, tangy flavor, with their origin and culinary uses documented on Wikipedia.

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