These are The Best Lemon Bars you are going to taste, I guarantee it. A buttery crust with a sharp yet fresh lemon filling and topped with sugar they are super delicious and simple to make. You are going to love them!
I love these lemon bars and always whip a batch for friends and family. The problem is, you can’t just eat one. The buttery crumbly crust is sweet and delicious and the lemon filling is tart and fresh. The bars remind me of a lemon tart, but these are easier to make and taste just as good.

These lemon bars are a great option to bake for a bake sale or make as gifts for friends and family. I love to have a batch baked for the weekend, so when that sweet craving hits, I know I have something that is going to hit the spot.
You can never eat just one and I think by cutting them into little triangles you don’t feel like you’re eating too much. Until you notice most of them are gone. If you can’t get enough Lemon, try this lemon curd recipe.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Super easy to make – These lemon bars are a great option to make. They may take a little time while you bake the crust and make the filling. But it’s worth it.
- Tasty and delicious – You get that fresh lemon flavor with every bite.
- Something for everyone – The lemon bars are perfect for everyone. Kids, friends, and family will all want you to bake a batch of these bars.
- Pastry has never been so easy – You can whip up the shortbread pastry crust in minutes. Freezing it helps before baking the crust to perfection.
Ingredients
- Butter – It needs to be unsalted and brought to room temperature. Just take it out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before you need it.
- Granulated sugar – This is what adds sweetness to the pastry crust and also helps balance the lemon flavors in the filling.
- All-purpose flour – I use all-purpose flour but you can use other flour. Rice flour is a great substitution for the pastry.
- Kosher salt – this helps to balance the sweetness in the crust.
- Eggs – Jumbo or Extra Large eggs are what is needed for this recipe. They need to be at room temperature so if you store them in the refrigerator pull them out before using.
- Lemon zest and lemon juice – You will want to use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
- Powdered sugar – This is what will be sprinkled on top of the lemon bars once they are baked.
Directions
- Gather all of your ingredients together and then preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- We shall start with the crust. First, cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and add to the butter mixture. Line a 9 X 13″ pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Put the dough into the pan and sprinkle with flour using a small roller or your hands, roll into the pan building up a ½-inch edge on all sides.
- Put the pan in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking
- Bake the crust for 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Make the filling while the crust is baking. Remove from the oven.
- For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Using real lemons makes all the difference. Mix again just before you pour over the crust and bake for 30 minutes until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature. Cut into 20 – 24 squares or 40 triangles. It’s easier to cut if you refrigerate for 30 minutes after they cool completely.
Substitutions and Variations
- Make orange bars instead of lemon – You can do this by using orange zest and orange juice instead of the lemon and baking them in the same way.
- Use store-bought lemon curd – If you want a quick fix then you could use some store-bought lemon curd but the flavor won’t be as intense as making it fresh.
- Pastry shortcut – You can use store-bought pastry instead if you want to save time.
- Slice of lemon – Add a slice of lemon on top of each individually cut lemon bar as an extra garnish. You could also add candied lemons or even a lemon sweet if you wish.
Expert Tips
- After you make the crust and add it to the the pan, freeze the baking pan for 10 minutes.
- The filling should be poured into the warm crust right after baking. Prepare the filling while the crust is in the freezer.
- The baking time may vary for the filling. Make sure your oven is calibrated and that you understand your baking time based on your oven settings. Do not underbake the filling or the bars won’t hold up.
- Sift powdered sugar on bars right before consuming.
- When slicing, make sure the bars are cold and use a clean sharp knife. I cut all the edges off so that the bars are all pretty. Then I eat the edges. Yum.
FAQs
You don’t need to use anything fancy for these lemon bars, but most bakers will agree that metal tins and baking dishes provide better results as the heat is retained better.
If you find that your lemon bars taste a little eggy then the chances are they are overcooked. You just need to bake until the filling has set. All ovens are different so keep in mind the baking time might be different.
The chances are in this case you haven’t baked them for long enough. If they don’t look set when you pull them out of the oven put them back to bake a little longer.
Storage Tips
You can store these easily simply by transferring cooled lemon bar slices to an airtight container and then storing them in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. If you do layer them in the container, place a piece of parchment paper between each layer so they won’t stick.
These lemon bars also freeze well. Freeze them in a layer and then store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
Related Recipes
If you loved this recipe and made it please give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! That will help it be seen more. You can also pin it to Pinterest or share it on Facebook.
How to Bake The Best Lemon Bars Ever
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 sticks butter room temp
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- pinch kosher salt
Filling
- 6 eggs Jumbo or Extra Large and room temp
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoon grated lemon zest Approx 2 lemons
- 3/4 cup lemon juice fresh squeezed preferrably
- 1 cup all purpose flour
Topping
- 1/4 cup Powdered sugar for dusting as needed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- For the crust, cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer with a paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and add to butter mixture. Line a 9 X 13" pan with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray. Put the dough into the pan and sprinkle with flour and using a small roller or your hands, roll into the pan building up a 1/2 inch edge on all sides.
- Put pan in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking
- Bake the crust for 20 minutes, until lightly browned. Make the filling while the crust is baking. Remove from the oven.
- For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and flour. Using real lemons makes all the difference. Mix again just before you pour over the crust and bake for 30 minutes, until filling is set. Let cool to room temperature. Cut into 20 – 24 squares or 40 triangles. It's easier to cut if you refrigerate for 30 minutes after completely cool.
adrienne says
These look delicious! Stopped by from SITS. 🙂
Candi says
I hope you get the chance to try them. Enjoy. Thanks for stopping by.
Tracie says
Yum! I definitely want to try these soon.
My recent post This Hamburger Will Make You Hungry
Candi says
they are so easy. I know you will enjoy. Thanks for visiting.
Akaleistar says
Love lemon bars!
Candi says
Me too. I can't get enough. Thanks for visiting.
momssmallvictories says
delish, i love lemon bars! visiting from SITS!
Candi says
I Love them too. I could eat them all day. Thanks for stopping by.
Amee @ Did Someone Say Chocolate? says
Hi Candi! I'm visting from SITS and when I saw the words "Lemon Bar" I just HAD to take a peak. You have a very lucky friend and now I'm putting these on my list for my birthday. I would totally go for lemon bars over a birthday cake! (Or brownies) haha! Looking forward to getting to know you better!
L. D. B. Taylor says
One of my favorite desserts! I love that tart, lemon flavor.
Alexis Grace says
I actually love lemon bars— but still avoiding gluten…..have you made the crust gf before? If so what did you use?
My recent post Travel Snapshots: The Waters Of Bali
Candi says
Alexis, I will put that on my list to do a recipe with a gluten free crust. Thanks for the suggestion
My recent post Recipe|Lime Curd
Cindy Howell says
Your recipes are always a treat. I can't wait to try this one!
Thank you for sharing at this week's Super Saturday Afternoon Tea!!!
My recent post My Year of Joy
Candi says
Thanks Cindy, I appreciate you hosting the link up.
My recent post Recipe|Lime Curd
@shari_lynne says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Lemon Bars Candi! I have to be careful when I'm around them because I will eat them all up!! 😀 Thanks for sharing!
Candi says
Thanks Shari, I can eat them all up too.
My recent post Im Guest Posting on these Snickerdoodle Cookies
@KrystalS says
These look REALLY good! I'm sharing and pinning to make them in the future! ;D
Candi says
Great, they are super easy and so good. Great for parties.
My recent post Im Guest Posting on these Snickerdoodle Cookies
heidifowler says
Lemon bars are one of my favorite treats. Thanks for the great recipe! Pinned and shared!
My recent post Olaf Sock Snowman Tutorial
Candi says
Thanks for pinning. They are so good. I love the shortbread crust.
My recent post Im Guest Posting on these Snickerdoodle Cookies
@GirlGoneMom says
I love anything with lemon. Going to be making this soon, for reals!
My recent post BBQ Party Game & Squiggle Pads {Giveaway}
Candi says
I love lemon too. I have so much fun making all the lemon recipes.
My recent post Im Guest Posting on these Snickerdoodle Cookies
@MommaYoung says
This Lemon Bar recipe looks delicious. We love lemon I can't wait to try this with the kids.
My recent post Four Almond Milk Recipes: No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake #SilkAlmondBlends #shop
Candi says
They are so good and easy to make. I hope you get to try them.
Candi Elm says
They are so good. I am thinking of making the gluten free next time with coconut flour.
Immobilienmakler heidelberg says
Der Artikel ist wirklich gut. Das Thema hat mich schon interessiert und ich konnte hier noch einiges weiterführendes finden. Ich freue mich, weitere Blogeinträge zu lesen. Danke und Grüße aus Heidelberg Marco Feindler
Diane Lyman says
I really like Lemon Bars candy! I should be careful while i am around them because i can eat them all up!! Thanks a lot for sharing!
low calories food list says
I’m planning to start out a 7days food regimen tomorrow.