Brilliant Lemon Bars
- Prep Time: 00:10
- Cook Time: 00:40
- Total Time: 3:40
- Yield: 24 Bars
Description
A classic lemon treat, the lemon curd filling is delectable and creamy perfectly pairing with the buttery shortbread crust. Easily will become the best lemon dessert for picnics, cookouts, and many events alike.
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust
– 1 cup : unsalted butter (melted)
– ½ cup : granulated sugar
– 2 teaspoons : vanilla extract
– ½ teaspoon : salt
– 2 cups : all-purpose flour
Lemon Filling
– 2 cups : granulated sugar
– 6 tablespoons : all-purpose flour
– 6 large eggs
– 1 cup : fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
Optional
– Confectioners’ sugar for dusting
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). Line the bottom and sides of a 9×13 glass baking pan (do not use metal) with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to lift the finished bars out Set aside.
- Make the crust:Mix the melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together in a medium bowl. Add the flour and stir to completely combine. The dough will be thick. Press firmly into prepared pan, making sure the layer of crust is nice and even. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove from the oven. Using a fork, poke holes all over the top of the warm crust (not all the way through the crust
- Make the filling:Sift the sugar and flour together in a large bowl. Whisk in the eggs, then the lemon juice until completely combined.
- Pour filling over warm crust. Bake the bars for 22-26 minutes or until the center is relatively set and no longer jiggles. Remove bars from the oven and cool completely at room temperature. I usually cool them for about 2 hours at room temperature, then stick in the refrigerator for 1-2 more hours until chilled. Recommend serving chilled.
- Once cool, lift the parchment paper out of the pan using the overhang on the sides. Dust with confectioners’ sugar and cut into squares before serving. For neat squares, wipe the knife clean between each cut. Cover and store leftover lemon bars in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
Freezing Instructions: Lemon bars can be frozen for up to 3-4 months. Cut the cooled bars (without confectioners’ sugar topping) into squares, then place onto a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour. Individually wrap each bar in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place into a large bag or freezer container to freeze. Thaw in the refrigerator, then dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
