Best Homemade Lemon Bars Recipe (7 Ingredients)

Discover an easy and delicious recipe for the best homemade lemon bars (you probably have ever had), along with additional tips that will help you produce a delicious result every single time. This recipe is perfect for both novice and seasoned bakers!

What are Lemon Bars?

Lemon bars are a classic dessert that’s as easy to make as they are delightful to eat. With a buttery shortbread crust and a tangy lemon filling, these bars are perfect for any occasion. This guide will walk you through a simple and foolproof lemon bars recipe, offering tips and tricks along the way to ensure your lemon bars turn out perfectly every time.

Bottled Lemon Juice vs. Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice

When making the best homemade lemon bars, choosing between bottled lemon juice and fresh-squeezed lemons can significantly impact the flavor and convenience of your dessert. Bottled lemon juice offers ease of use and consistent acidity, making it a reliable choice for quick baking. However, fresh-squeezed lemons bring a vibrant, zesty flavor that can elevate the taste of your lemon bars, providing a much fresher and more aromatic tasting experience.

Bottled Lemon Juice: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Convenience: Ready to use, saving time and effort.
• Consistency: Uniform flavor and acidity, ensuring reliable results.
• Availability: Easily accessible year-round.

Cons:

• Flavor: Often lacks the fresh, bright taste of real lemons.
• Additives: May contain preservatives or artificial ingredients.

Fresh-Squeezed Lemons: Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Flavor: Provides a fresh, vibrant taste that enhances the dessert.
• Natural: Free from preservatives and additives.
• Aroma: Adds a fragrant, zesty aroma to the dish.

Cons:

• Effort: Requires more time and effort to juice and strain.
• Variability: Inconsistent size and acidity can affect the final outcome

How Long Should Lemon Bars Cool Before Eating?

Cooling time is a crucial step in making the best homemade lemon bars. Allowing the bars to cool completely before cutting and serving ensures that the filling sets properly, resulting in clean, firm slices. If you cut into the bars too soon, the filling may still be soft and runny, making it difficult to achieve neatly cut squares. Additionally, cooling helps the flavors meld together, enhancing the overall taste of the lemon bars. For best results, let the lemon bars cool at room temperature and then refrigerate them for at least a couple of hours before serving. This patience pays off with beautifully set, deliciously tangy lemon bars.

Ingredients for the Best Homemade Lemon Bars

Shortbread Crust

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2.5 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 2 cups (heaping) all-purpose flour

Lemon Bar Filling

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons flour
• 6 large eggs
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 5-7 lemons)
• Confectioners’ sugar (for top of bars, if desired)

Baking Directions

Prepare the crust

1. Preheat oven to 325°F
2. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch glass baking pan, set aside.
3. Meanwhile, begin to make the crust.

4. Mix sugar, vanilla and salt in a medium bowl. Gradually add flour and mix until combined.

5. Once (shortbread) dough is formed, place into prepared baking pan, ensuring the crust is even.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.
7. Remove from oven. Carefully poke holes on the top of the crust then set aside.

Make filling and bake

1. Cut lemons in half and squeeze juice into measuring cup (until there is 1 to 1.5 cups, depending on desired flavor intensity).

2. In a large bowl, sift granulated sugar and flour.
3. Carefully whisk in eggs, then lemon juice until well combined.

4. Pour the filling into the prepared crust.

5. Bake lemon bars for about 25 minutes. The bars should be nearly set and not wobble.

6. Remove from oven and allow to rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
7. Transfer to refrigerator and chill for an additional 1-2 hours.

When ready to serve, remove from refrigerator. Dust with confectioners’ sugar, cut into squares and serve. Enjoy the best homemade lemon bars (you’ll probably ever have)!

If you’re looking for even more delicious sweet treats, be sure to check out our other Dessert Recipes!