Irresistible Lemon Bars Recipe: The Perfect Summer Dessert
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This irresistible lemon bars recipe balances sweet with tartness by combining the perfect shortbread crust with a delicious lemon custard.
Hi there, my Kenarry friends! It’s Robin from A Home to Grow Old In. Today I am I am sharing one of my all-time favorite summer desserts…the most irresistible lemon bars recipe. We have had a cold spring in New England, but our temperatures are finally starting to warm up.
Whenever we start to get some beautiful weather my mind immediately turns to food because I start thinking about barbecues, picnics, and outdoor get-togethers with family and neighbors. If you’re the same way, then you are in luck today.
You’ll love this lemon bars recipe because it has a shortbread crust that stays crisp even after it’s been in the refrigerator, and the custard portion has just the right amount of tartness. Â It’s the perfect balance of sweet from the crust and sour from the lemon custard that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
What you need:
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Kitchen Tools:
Ingredients:
These are the ingredients you’ll need. All the exact amounts are in the printable card at the bottom of this post.
- butter, unsalted
- powdered sugar
- all-purpose flour
- salt
- eggs
- granulated sugar
- lemon juice
- lemon zest
Lemon bars are an easy summer dessert for a crowd.
We’re really big on entertaining friends over here, especially in the summer. I try to serve desserts that don’t need a utensil to eat it with (just one less thing to worry about), so any cookies, bars, brownies, etc. are a winner in my book. The nice thing about these bars is that you can make them the night before your event, and they’ll have lots of time to chill in the fridge.
These bars are always a huge hit at our summer parties with both kids and grown-ups. And, they’re such a beautiful dessert. Their sunny yellow color just screams “summer”! You’ve got to try these for your next get-together!
Lemon Bar Questions Answered
I am updating this post to answer some common questions about my lemon bars. If you have a question, leave it in the comments.
How long do lemon bars last?
Not long at all if you eat them up really quick! All jokes aside, they will last about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
Do lemon bars need refrigerated?
Lemon bars are safe to eat if they are left out for about a day. But longer than a day, they need to be refrigerated or stored in the freezer long term.
Can you freeze lemon bars?
Yes, you can freeze lemon bars. They will last about 6 months in the freezer. There are 2 main ways to freeze lemon bars – in a plastic resealable bag or in a plastic container.
If you are going to store them in a resealable plastic bag, make sure they are only in one layer.
To store them in a plastic airtight container, place parchment paper in between the layers of lemon bars.
How do you make lemon bars with a cookie crust?
This recipe uses a shortbread cookie crust. It turns out amazing, you will love it!
How do you make lemon bars in the microwave?
If you are pressed for time, you can always make the lemon bar filling in the microwave. Mom in Timeout has a perfect recipe.
Irresistible Lemon Bars Recipe (Perfect for Summer Barbecues)
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup Unsalted Butter Softened
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar Plus more for Topping
- 2 cups Flour All-Purpose
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
For the custard:
- 4 Large Eggs
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 6 tablespoons Flour All-Purpose
- 2/3 cup Lemon Juice Fresh
- 2 teaspoons Lemon Zest
- 1/8 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F/175 degrees C.
To make the crust:
- Sift the powdered sugar, flour, and salt into a large bowl.
- Combine the flour mixture with the butter by hand.
- Press the dough into the bottom of a buttered 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes. After removing it from the oven, allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
Nutrition
More Summer Recipes
If you’re looking for more summer recipes, be sure to check these out…
Mexican Bruschetta Appetizer Recipe
Ooey Gooey S’mores Bars Recipe
Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe with Printable Labels
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What’s Next?
If you love easy dessert recipes, you may also enjoy:
This recipe was originally published on May 23, 2017. Updated May 2018.
