Best Lemon Bars Recipe - With Video - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (2024)

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posted by Liz Berg

on May 30, 2023 (updated 8/16/23)

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This is the BEST Lemon Bars Recipe with a buttery shortbread crust and a thick, luscious layer of citrus custard. These Lemon Squares make a sublime treat!

Lemon bars are a popular dessert that is easy to make, but these are the best, bar none.These Easy Lemon Barsare always a hit! These have the perfect ratio of creamy, flavorful lemon filling and tender crust.

Best Lemon Bars Recipe - With Video - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (1)

Table of Contents hide

1 Why You Must Make

2 Ingredient Notes:

3 How to Make

4 Expert Tips:

5 Frequently Asked Questions

6 You May Also Like:

7 The Best Lemon Bars Recipe

Why You Must Make

This lemon bars recipe with a shortbread crust and sweet-tart lemon custard topping is a classic treat.
Not everyone is a chocoholic, so having a few recipes with lemon is great for your dessert repertoire.
These lemon squares are easy to make and are absolutely delicious!

Ingredient Notes:

Kitchen Staples: flour, sugar, salt, eggs
Butter – Do not use margarine, butter provides better flavor. I used salted butter.
Fresh Lemons – For lemon juice and zest – Never use bottled lemon juice as the flavor is inferior.
Powdered Sugar – Sift before using to remove lumps.
Strawberries – Optional garnish if making for company.

Best Lemon Bars Recipe - With Video - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (2)

How to Make

Best Lemon Bars Recipe - With Video - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (3)

Best Lemon Bars Recipe - With Video - That Skinny Chick Can Bake (4)

Expert Tips:

First, buy fresh lemons. You will need ½ cup of fresh juice. Each average lemon will provide approximately 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, so you will need at least 4 lemons. I’d buy one extra to be safe as there is a wide variation in sizes and juice production!
PRO-Tip: Zest your lemons before juicing. Once they’re juiced, it’s more of a challenge to zest.
PRO-Tip: There are a couple of ways to get the maximum juice out of a lemon. First, you can roll the lemon back and forth on the counter with the palm of your hand to help break up the fibers. Also, microwaving the whole lemon for about 20 seconds may help get additional juice as well!
Use the food processor to make the shortbread crust. It is quicker than cutting the butter in by hand, plus makes a tender crust.
Par baking the crust first provides a barrier to the lemon filling plus ensures the crust will finish baking at the same time as the topping.
Making a lemon filling instead of a lemon curd provides a moister more flavorful burst of lemon.
Lining the baking dish with parchment or non-stick foil makes for easy removal and pan cleanup!
Let the bars cool completely before cutting to get the cleanest-looking squares. Chilling them also makes for cleaner slices.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving for a nice finished appearance. If you do this ahead of time, the sugar will melt and absorb into the bars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes This Lemon Squares Recipe the BEST?

Starting from the bottom up, these bars begin with a simple, buttery shortbread crust. Nothing funky, just 3 ingredients pulsed in the food processor to make a perfect base.

Next, the combination of both lemon juice and lemon zest gives a bold citrus flavor. Note that fresh juice and zest are a must. None of the jarred lemon juice or off-the-rack dried lemon zest.

Adding flour to the lemon mixture thickens the filling perfectly without compromising the texture.
Having the perfect ratio of crust to filling is key, too. You need just enough crust so you can pick up these bars with your fingers as needed and a thicker layer of lemon custard to give you that zesty lemon flavor you love!

How Do You Slice Lemon Bars?

For the cleanest slices, chill your bars first. Then use a warm knife (run under hot water, then dry it) to help the knife glide through the bars easily.

Lining the baking pan with non-stick foil or parchment allows you to easily remove a whole batch to a cutting board for easier slicing.

If you want all the bars to be the same size, use a ruler to make marks at 2-inch intervals along each side to guide you.

How Should You Store Lemon Bars?

They can be stored on the countertop at room temperature for a day or so, but to extend their lifespan, it’s best to refrigerate them. They will be good for 4-5 days kept in the fridge.

Why Didn’t My Lemon Bars Set?

If they’re underbaked, your lemon custard will not set. And to get your bars firmer, store them in the refrigerator.

What Else Can You Make with Lemons?

If you’re lucky enough to live in a warm climate and have lemon trees, you’ll need lots of lemon recipes. We love lemon meringue pie, lemon curd, a lemon tart, Limoncello, a French 75 co*cktail, chicken with parsley, garlic (and lemon) to name a few.

The Best Lemon Bars Recipe

Ingredients

Crust:

1 cup flour
¼ cup sugar
½ cup butter cold butter, diced

Lemon topping:

3 eggs
1 ½ cups sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
½ cup flour, sifted
⅛ teaspoon salt

Garnish:

Powdered Sugar
Fresh strawberries, cut in half, optional

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º. Line an 8 x 8-inch pan with non-stick foil or line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a food processor, pulse the crust ingredients until the butter is in very small pieces. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for about 15 minutes or until the crust just starts to brown. Cool completely.
To make the filling, whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, zest, flour, and salt.
Pour over the cooled crust.
Bake for 30-35 more minutes or until the topping is firm and lightly browned.
Cool, then cut a sliver off all sides before sprinkling with powdered sugar and cutting into bars. Garnish with berries if desired.

Notes

You may double the recipe and bake in a 9 x 13-inch pan or triple and bake in a jelly roll pan.

Make sure to zest your lemons before you juice them. It's very difficult to zest a juiced lemon.

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

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posted by Liz Berg on May 30, 2023
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46 Comments on “The Best Lemon Bars Recipe”

angiesrecipes — June 3, 2023 @ 2:04 pm Reply

I always enjoy a good lemony dessert. These bars look terrific!
angiesrecipes
http://angiesrecipes.blogspot.com
Healthy World Cuisine — June 3, 2023 @ 7:02 am Reply

Mouth is watering just thinking about taking a bite of these dreamy sour and sweet lemon bars. Perfect dessert for these hot and sticky days of summer.
Lindsay Cotter — October 10, 2019 @ 11:13 am Reply

These were so easy to make. Everyone loved them and wanted the recipe. I’d say that was a big hit for sure! Thanks for the recipe!
Suzy — October 8, 2019 @ 2:07 pm Reply

This is exactly what I’m looking for in a lemon bar! A little sweet and a little tangy! Just perfect!
Katie — October 4, 2019 @ 11:50 pm Reply

I love lemon bars, and this recipe is a classic! Definitely a keeper.
Laura — October 3, 2019 @ 2:53 pm Reply
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Wonderful recipe! So so delicious! Def pinning this one for later too! Thank you for sharing!
cathy — October 3, 2019 @ 1:27 pm Reply

My go-to recipe, everyone always looks forward to them. I make them for every party!
Nancy — August 11, 2018 @ 5:11 am Reply

This is great recipe and i love it very much.
thanks
Donna @ Modern on Monticello — August 6, 2018 @ 8:51 pm Reply

My husband would eat these lemon bars over chocolate any day. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe. Can’t wait to try it. #HomeMattersParty
Claudia Lamascolo — February 10, 2018 @ 3:10 pm Reply

I just love these bars lemon is a fav of mine now you have me wanting one so bad!!
Sandra Garth — April 1, 2017 @ 2:45 pm Reply

You are the Queen of perfectly sliced bars and these look fantastic!
Abbe@This is How I Cook — March 28, 2017 @ 11:10 pm Reply

The only dessert I like with lemon is lemon bars! I have no doubt I would love these!
Mary France — March 28, 2017 @ 2:41 pm Reply

YUM! spring is in the air. This is a wonderful recipie
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen — March 27, 2017 @ 9:54 pm Reply

Liz, you are the queen of gorgeous desserts! Lemon bars are one of my favorite things ever and these look so perfect I’m about to run out and get lemons even though I’ve already been to the store twice today 🙂
Susan — March 27, 2017 @ 8:57 pm Reply

Yes, yes!!! Made these for a neighborhood get together and they disappeared. Lemons came from trees in the neighborhood also. Thanks.
Laura | Tutti Dolci — March 27, 2017 @ 7:10 pm Reply

I have to try your bars, Liz! These look absolutely divine!
Vicki Bensinger — March 27, 2017 @ 3:34 pm Reply

Lemon Bars are by far my favorite dessert bars and these do look heavenly. If you say they’re they best then I need to try them.
Wendy Klik — March 27, 2017 @ 2:02 pm Reply

Lemon comes in as a close second for me as well Liz. These bars make my mouth water.
Eileen — March 27, 2017 @ 12:03 pm Reply

There is nothing better than a really great lemon bar. These look like perfection!
Rosemary Wolbert | Sprigs of Rosemary — March 27, 2017 @ 11:20 am Reply

Ah, if only I didn’t have to zest the lemons! I wish someone could come up with a really easy and effective way to zest a lemon. Don’t get me wrong, Liz, I love lemon bars, and have and will make these, but I do dread that task!
Anne — March 27, 2017 @ 9:48 am Reply

Lizzy , I’m into mousse cakes lately 😀 Lemon desserts though is still one fave but I haven’t baked one in months *sigh* Your best lemon bars certainly look gorgeous , I think the best looking one that I’ve seen yet 😉
Eva Taylor — March 27, 2017 @ 8:43 am Reply

There is nothing so satisfying as a really good lemon bar and this one looks like it would exceed expectations! I love the strong lemon yellow colour too, simply beautiful. Lemon desserts are my hubby’s favourite so I’m definitely bookmarking this beauty for our next celebration.
Cindys Recipes and Writings — March 27, 2017 @ 6:14 am Reply

This ARE the best lemon bars I’ve ever seen! I can’t wait to try the recipe!
nikki@soulfullymade — March 26, 2017 @ 9:52 pm Reply

These make me so happy! They look amazing! YUM!
Caroline — March 26, 2017 @ 8:17 pm Reply

These do indeed look wonderful!
Diana — March 26, 2017 @ 7:30 pm Reply

Pure beauty and I’m sure heavenly taste. Can these be frozen. Planning Easter menu and love these as presentation. Thank you.
- Liz Berg — March 26, 2017 @ 7:32 pm Reply
  
  Diana, from what I recall, lemon bars don’t freeze well. But I’ve kept these in the fridge for almost a week, so they can definitely made a few days ahead of time. Thanks for stopping by!
diana reed — March 26, 2017 @ 7:11 pm Reply

Liz, i just printed your lemon bar recipe. Who wouldn’t love these~! Thanks~!!!
Hezzi-D — March 26, 2017 @ 5:48 pm Reply

Lemon bars are one of my favorite desserts! I cannot wait to try this recipe!
Chris Scheuer — March 26, 2017 @ 4:47 pm Reply

I’m in heaven with a good lemon bar – and these look wonderful!
Liren — March 26, 2017 @ 4:47 pm Reply

They really DO look incredible, Liz! I love lemon bars and can’t wait to try yours out — I have some extra lemons, so perfect timing!
Evelyne CulturEatz — March 26, 2017 @ 3:53 pm Reply

Yeah…so…got an instant craving. They are baking in the oven right now!
manu — March 26, 2017 @ 3:15 pm Reply

These lemon bars are so cute, colored and delicious!!!
Thanks for sharing
Marion Myers — March 26, 2017 @ 2:21 pm Reply

These lemon bars look absolutely perfect, Liz! I love the buttery shortbread crust piled high with that beautiful lemon filling dusted with a touch of sweetness from the powdered sugar. My family is going to love you for sharing this recipe!! I can’t wait to make it for them 🙂 Thanks so much!!
cheri — March 26, 2017 @ 1:57 pm Reply

Will definitely be trying these lemon bars Liz, still have tons of lemons left and if these have your seal of approval they must be good.
Debra Eliotseats — March 26, 2017 @ 1:35 pm Reply

Gotta love lemon bars. Gotta love a whole round up of them more!! 🙂
Jersey Girl Cooks — March 26, 2017 @ 1:05 pm Reply

These definitely look like the best lemon bars! And I love the powder sugar and strawberry garnish.
Laura Dembowski — March 26, 2017 @ 12:32 pm Reply

I love love love lemon bars and haven’t made or had one in forever. Yours set up absolutely perfectly!
Marcelle/A Little Fish in the Kitchen — March 26, 2017 @ 11:57 am Reply

Liz, I’m practically drooling! I haven’t made lemon bars in forever! Will be making your recipe this week and I can’t wait! Pinning this one for later 🙂
Andrea | From the Bookshelf — March 26, 2017 @ 9:28 am Reply

Looks amazing!
claudia — March 26, 2017 @ 7:59 am Reply

they look so delicious
I love lemon bars.. perfect cuts too!
Christie — March 26, 2017 @ 7:22 am Reply

I love lemon bars, but I’ve never made them. I should bake and take these for work. They look delicious!
Denise Wright — March 26, 2017 @ 7:19 am Reply

I have no doubt these are the best lemon bars! They look out of this world!
Lynn@Happier Than A Pig In Mud — March 26, 2017 @ 5:24 am Reply

I’ve only made lemon bars once… I think it’s time to make some more! Actually, sunny lemon everything sounds good:@)
The Ninja Baker — March 26, 2017 @ 1:47 am Reply

Your lemon bars do look and sound fantabulous, Liz. So does the historic home…as well as the visit to the spa!
Angie@Angie's Recipes — March 26, 2017 @ 1:47 am Reply

If you said it’s the BEST, then it must be! They look fantastic!