Best 9 Lemon Bars From Scratch Recipes

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Lemon bars are a classic dessert that is both delicious and easy to make. With their bright, citrusy flavor and creamy texture, they are a favorite among people of all ages. Whether you are a seasoned baker or a beginner, this ultimate guide to making lemon bars from scratch will provide you with all the information you need to create this irresistible treat.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

PERFECT LEMON BARS



Perfect Lemon Bars image

My favorite EASY lemon bars recipe with just the right ratio of buttery shortbread crust and creamy lemon filling. Always a crowd favorite.

Provided by Lauren Allen

Categories     Dessert

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 cup butter (, at room temperature)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
dash of salt
Zest of one large lemon
1 cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 large eggs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of an 8'' pan with parchment paper, or grease with cooking spray and set aside
  • For the crust: In a mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the butter and powdered sugar. Add the flour and salt and mix on low speed, just until combined.
  • Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
  • While the crust cools, make the lemon filling. Mix the lemon zest and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, flour, baking powder, and eggs. Mix until well combined and the sugar is dissolved. Pour mixture over crust.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 more minutes, or until the filling has set. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  • Sprinkle with powdered sugar before cutting and serving. Store lemon bars in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 268 kcal, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 3 g, Fat 11 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Sodium 108 mg, Sugar 25 g, ServingSize 1 serving

HOMEMADE LEMON BARS



Homemade Lemon Bars image

When these tangy bars were served in my husband's childhood, family meals were memorably complete. That's still true today for our family. The bars' sweetness rounds out the meal, but the lemony flavor keeps them light. Don't expect many leftovers once family and friends taste these treats! -Denise Baumert, Dalhart, Texas

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 50m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
TOPPING:
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon lemon extract
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, beat flour, butter and confectioners' sugar until blended. Press onto bottom of an ungreased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned., For topping, in a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice, extract, baking powder and salt until frothy; pour over hot crust., Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool completely in dish on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 235 calories, Fat 8g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 65mg cholesterol, Sodium 171mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

LEMON BARS



Lemon Bars image

These easy lemon bars are a delightful recipe from my mother's file. I've been serving it for many years. This easy lemon bar recipe has a wonderful tangy flavor, and they're always a hit. The color and shape make them a nice addition to a platter of cookies. -Etta Soucy, Mesa, Arizona

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 55m

Yield 9 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
FILLING:
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Additional confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • In a bowl, combine the flour, butter and confectioners' sugar. Pat into an ungreased 8-in. square baking pan. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes. , For filling, in a small bowl, beat eggs. Add the sugar, flour, baking powder, lemon juice and zest; beat until frothy. Pour over the crust. Bake 25 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 263 calories, Fat 11g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 74mg cholesterol, Sodium 140mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (25g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.

THE BEST LEMON BARS



The Best Lemon Bars image

Tart, rich and perfection, all rolled into one! Wow your friends with this simple recipe. Hint: No Substitutions!

Provided by Patty Schenck

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 55m

Yield 36

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup butter, softened
½ cup white sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 eggs
1 ½ cups white sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 lemons, juiced

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.
  • Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool. For a festive tray, make another pan using limes instead of lemons and adding a drop of green food coloring to give a very pale green. After both pans have cooled, cut into uniform 2 inch squares and arrange in a checker board fashion.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 125.8 calories, Carbohydrate 17.8 g, Cholesterol 34.2 mg, Fat 5.8 g, Fiber 0.5 g, Protein 1.6 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, Sodium 44.4 mg, Sugar 11.2 g

CLASSIC LEMON BARS



Classic Lemon Bars image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 1h15m

Yield 24 bars

Number Of Ingredients 11

Vegetable oil, for greasing
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, diced
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, plus more for garnish
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
2 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 8 lemons)

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with vegetable oil and line with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; grease the foil with oil. Pulse the butter, flour, both sugars and the salt in a food processor until the dough comes together, about 1 minute. Press evenly into the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides of the prepared pan, making sure there are no cracks. Bake until the crust is golden, about 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the filling: Whisk the whole eggs and yolks, sugar and flour in a bowl until smooth. Whisk in the lemon zest and juice. Remove the crust from the oven and reduce the temperature to 300 degrees F. Pour the filling over the warm crust and return to the oven. Bake until the filling is just set, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Let the bars cool in the pan on a rack, then refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. Lift out of the pan using the foil and slice. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

LEMON BARS



Lemon Bars image

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars are easy to bake and make for the perfect picnic dessert, from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network.

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     dessert

Time 1h35m

Yield 20 squares or 40 triangles

Number Of Ingredients 10

1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup flour
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.
  • Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.
  • For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.
  • Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.

LEMON MERINGUE BARS RECIPE BY TASTY



Lemon Meringue Bars Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, salt, unsalted butter, large eggs, egg yolk, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, all-purpose flour, egg white, salt, granulated sugar

Provided by Alix Traeger

Categories     Desserts

Yield 9 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup powdered sugar
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup unsalted butter, 1 1/2 sticks, cubed, room temperature
3 large eggs
1 egg yolk, reserve white for meringue
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 egg white
1 pinch salt
⅓ cup granulated sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325˚F (170˚C). Grease and line a 9-inch (23 cm) square baking dish with parchment paper and place on a baking sheet.
  • Make the crust: combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and butter in a medium bowl, and use your hands to mix until a crumbly dough forms.
  • Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, and use your hands to press it against the bottom and about 1 inch (2 cm) up the sides. Poke the bottom all over with a fork.
  • Bake for 20 minutes, until light golden brown.
  • While the crust is baking, make the lemon filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs and egg yolk. Add the granulated sugar, lemon juice, zest, and a pinch of salt, and whisk to combine. Whisk in the flour until just combined.
  • When the crust is done baking, remove it from the oven. Pour the lemon filling over the crust and carefully return it to the oven for 25 minutes, until the filling no longer jiggles and the center is mostly set.
  • While the filling bakes, make the meringue: In a clean, dry medium bowl, use an electric hand mixer to beat the egg white until stiff peaks form. Add about half of the sugar, whip for 30 seconds, then add the rest of the sugar and whip until combined. Transfer the meringue to a pastry bag fitted with a large tip or zip-top bag with a corner snipped off.
  • Pipe 9 evenly-spaced dollops of meringue on top of the lemon bars.
  • Return to the oven for 10-12 minutes, until the meringues are lightly browned.
  • Let cool completely, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
  • Slice into 9 bars. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 370 calories, Carbohydrate 44 grams, Fat 18 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 6 grams, Sugar 29 grams

LEMON BARS I



Lemon Bars I image

Lemon bars on a shortbread base.

Provided by Sallie

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup confectioners' sugar
¼ cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
⅓ cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • To make Bottom Layer: Mix one cup flour and 1/4 cup confectioners sugar. Melt the butter and stir into flour mixture.
  • Press flat and even into an 8x8 inch baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes.
  • While baking, make the top layer: Mix 1 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, and the baking powder.
  • Beat eggs and add to mixture, stirring well. Add lemon juice and rind, mix again.
  • Pour over bottom layer; Bake at 350 for 25 minutes. Cool a little, cut into squares while warm; dust with confectioners sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 132.7 calories, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 30.9 mg, Fat 3.6 g, Fiber 0.3 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 44.7 mg, Sugar 16.9 g

LEMON BARS



Lemon Bars image

Make and share this Lemon Bars recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Diana Adcock

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h10m

Yield 12 bars or so, 8-12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

2 cups sifted flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter
4 large beaten eggs
2 cups white sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon rind (optional)

Steps:

  • For the base mix the butter into the flour and sugar.
  • Mix with hands until it clings together.
  • Press into a 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.
  • Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • For the filling, beat together eggs, sugar and lemon juice.
  • Sift together flour and baking powder.
  • Stir into egg mixture.
  • Pour over baked, cooled crust.
  • Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
  • Cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
  • Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 592.2, Fat 25.8, SaturatedFat 15.4, Cholesterol 154, Sodium 262.2, Carbohydrate 85.3, Fiber 1, Sugar 57.7, Protein 7

Tips:

  • For a more intense lemon flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest.
  • To prevent the crust from getting too brown, bake it for only 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just starting to turn golden.
  • Make sure the lemon curd is completely cool before pouring it onto the crust. Otherwise, it will melt the crust and make it soggy.
  • Chill the lemon bars for at least 2 hours before serving. This will help them set and make them easier to cut.
  • Dust the lemon bars with powdered sugar before serving for a touch of sweetness and elegance.

Conclusion:

Lemon bars are a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. They are easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. With their bright flavor and creamy texture, lemon bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you are looking for a delicious and refreshing dessert, give lemon bars a try. You won't be disappointed!

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