Super Easy Lemon Bars

Super Easy Lemon Bars 🍋

If you’re craving a burst of bright citrus flavor paired with the buttery goodness of shortbread, these Super Easy Lemon Bars are the perfect treat! With a simple shortbread crust and a tangy lemon curd filling, this recipe is both delightful and incredibly easy to make. Let’s dive into how you can whip up these delicious lemon bars in no time.

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Crust:

• ½ cup Unsalted Butter (room temperature) 🧈
• 1 cup All-Purpose Flour 🌾
• ¼ cup Powdered Sugar 🍚

For the Lemon Curd Filling:

• ½ cup Lemon Juice (from 2-3 lemons) 🍋
• 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest (finely grated) 🍋
• 3 Large Eggs (room temperature) 🥚
• 1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar 🍬
• ½ cup All-Purpose Flour (sifted) 🌾
• Powdered Sugar (for dusting) 🍚

Instructions

For the Shortbread Crust:

1️⃣ Prepare the Pan:
Lightly spray an 8” x 8” baking pan with a flour-based baking spray. If you prefer, line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal later. You can use binder clips to hold the parchment in place to prevent it from collapsing during baking.

2️⃣ Mix the Crust:
Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat together the unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, and powdered sugar until the mixture resembles loose crumbs. Pat the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. To ensure a firm crust, place the pan in the freezer or refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to chill. If you’re using a glass baking dish, you can skip the chilling step.

3️⃣ Preheat the Oven:
While the shortbread is chilling, adjust your oven rack to the second level position (just above center) and preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC).

4️⃣ Bake the Crust:
Once the crust has chilled, bake it in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until it turns a light golden brown. Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly while you prepare the lemon curd filling.

For the Lemon Curd Filling:

5️⃣ Prepare the Ingredients:
Grate the lemons to collect the zest and squeeze out the lemon juice. Sift the all-purpose flour into a small bowl to remove any lumps.

6️⃣ Mix the Filling:
Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, blend together the lemon juice, lemon zest, eggs, granulated sugar, and sifted flour on medium-high speed until well combined.

7️⃣ Bake the Lemon Bars:
Pour the lemon curd filling over the slightly cooled crust. Place the pan back in the oven and bake at 350ºF for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is nearly set with a slight jiggle in the center. Check the bars at the earliest baking time to prevent over-baking, which can cause a thin crust to form on top.

8️⃣ Cool and Set:
Once baked, remove the lemon bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely. Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or preferably overnight, to chill and set.

9️⃣ Serve and Enjoy:
When you’re ready to serve, dust the top with powdered sugar and cut the bars into squares using a well-sharpened knife. Enjoy the refreshing and tangy sweetness of these lemon bars!

Storage

Keep any leftover lemon bars stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 5 days, making them a great make-ahead dessert or snack.

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Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply indulging in a sweet treat at home, these lemon bars are sure to impress with their bright flavor and soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Give this recipe a try and let the sunshine in with every bite! 🌞🍋

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