Description
Zesty lemon bars with buttery shortbread crust dance between tangy and sweet, promising pure dessert bliss. Silky smooth citrus filling nestles atop a golden, crumbly base that melts deliciously on your palate.
Ingredients
Scale
Lemon Bars With Shortbread Crust Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Lemon Filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 lemons zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Garnish:
- Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350°F and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage.
- Combine flour, powdered sugar, and chilled butter in a mixing bowl, using a pastry cutter to create a crumbly, uniform texture.
- Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even, compact shortbread base.
- Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden hue, signaling a perfectly crisp foundation.
- While the crust bakes, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, flour, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and vibrant lemon zest until achieving a silky, smooth consistency.
- Once the crust emerges from the oven, immediately pour the bright, tangy lemon filling over the hot surface.
- Return the pan to the oven, baking for an additional 20-25 minutes until the filling sets with a gentle, wobble-free center.
- Allow the lemon bars to cool completely at room temperature, ensuring a clean, precise cut.
- Finish by dusting the surface with a delicate veil of powdered sugar, creating an elegant, snow-like appearance before slicing into perfect squares.
Notes
- Ensure butter is cold and cubed for the perfect crumbly shortbread texture that melts in your mouth.
- Use fresh lemon juice and zest for a bright, tangy flavor that elevates the entire dessert.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and clean slicing of the bars.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free all-purpose blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16
- Calories: 202 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 55 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 2.5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg