These Best Lemon Bars are my favorite recipe in the world of lemons. The flaky shortbread crust is topped with the most luscious lemon filling. A thin, sweet, crunchy glaze tops it off.
This is the perfect recipe for lemon lovers. There is plenty of lemon in the lemon filling. Lemon appears again as part of the glaze.
These are the classic kind of lemon bars that are a perfect addition to a dessert table for a party. Everyone loves lemon bars! They’re hard to resist.
How to Make the Best Lemon Bars:
First you’ll make a simple crust with three ingredients: flour, butter and powdered sugar. The crust is baked until golden, and then you’re ready for the filling. A sweet and tangy filling in these bars tops the crust, and then these bars go back into the oven to bake again. Once cooled, a simple glaze is drizzled on top. Everything is perfectly, overwhelming lemony… as the best lemon bars should be.
I’ve been baking these lemon bars for a good number of years as I’m quite sure my Mother passed along the recipe on an old recipe card. In college, I baked them for boyfriends. I transitioned into baking them for parties like baby showers and block parties in my neighborhood. It turns out that the lemon bars in general just happen to be a favorite dessert recipe among most people.
It’s quite difficult to eat just one lemon bar. They’re so addicting! Bake them today, and share them with friends and family. Enjoy!
If you’re looking for more desserts that would be great to bring to a party, you might also like my Lemon Blueberry Streusel Bars or these Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars. Pecan Pie Bars, Chocolate Mint Bars and Seven Layer Bars are great party desserts too!
Best Lemon Bars
Ingredients
CRUST:
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
FILLING:
- 2 cups granulated white sugar
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
GLAZE:
- 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
PREPARE THE CRUST:
- In a large bowl, combine the crust ingredients and use an electric mixer to combine until crumbly. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 20 to 25 min., or until lightly browned.
PREPARE THE FILLING:
- In a large bowl, combine the filling ingredients using an electric mixer. Pour the filling over the crust. Bake 20 to 25 min., or until the top is light golden brown. Let cool.
PREPARE THE GLAZE:
- In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar and enough lemon juice for a desired glaze consistency (probably about 2 1/2 tablespoons). Blend with an electric mixer until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled bars.
- Cut into bars when the glaze is set.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Should I let the crust cool before pouring the filling in?
That’s a good idea 🙂
Best lemon bars ever
I made this recipe from your 2008 post. Now I need to triple the recipe. Do you have any recommendations?
When you hover over the servings in the recipe, you can change the amount– and that should change the amounts in the recipe (double check).
I was disappointed in the Best Lemon Bars. I did love the lemon filling and glaze but the crust was too much.. I took the crust off after I cut them out of the pan. I give them 3 stars.
Can I half this recipe? Make it in an 8×8 pan.
you can try!
I left these out last night because I’m bringing them to work. Is that ok??
Should be fine!
Hi
Can you tell me if I can freeze these bars or how long do they keep? I am crush with time and want to make them a couple of days before the event. Would they be ok in the fridge for two days? Thank you
Yes, I think they’d be just fine in the fridge for a couple of days. Just make sure they are in a well-sealed container.
That glaze is the cherry on top!
Lemon bars are one of my favorite desserts – love the glaze on this version!