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Classic Tangy Lemon Bars

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These classic tangy lemon bars feature a crisp, buttery shortbread crust paired with a bright, silky lemon filling. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion, they offer a delightful balance of sweet and tart.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • ⅔ cup (160 ml) fresh lemon juice (about 3–4 medium lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together 1 ¾ cups flour, ⅓ cup sugar, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  2. Add cold, cubed butter and work into dry ingredients with fingers or pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized bits.
  3. Press mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a greased 8×8-inch baking pan.
  4. Bake crust for about 20 minutes or until edges are light golden brown.
  5. While crust bakes, whisk 4 eggs and 1 ½ cups sugar in a medium bowl until smooth and slightly frothy.
  6. Stir in ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest, ¼ cup flour, and a pinch of salt until fully combined and smooth.
  7. Pour lemon filling evenly over hot crust once baked.
  8. Return pan to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until filling is just set and no longer jiggles.
  9. Remove from oven and cool to room temperature on a wire rack.
  10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to fully set.
  11. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving. Use a sharp knife wiped between cuts for clean edges.

Notes

Use fresh lemons for best flavor. Do not overmix the crust to keep it flaky. Bake filling until just set to avoid dryness. Chill bars thoroughly before slicing for clean cuts. If filling is too runny, add 1-2 teaspoons extra flour. Use a sharp knife wiped between cuts to prevent sticking.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon bars, lemon dessert, tangy lemon bars, shortbread crust, easy lemon bars, classic lemon bars, lemon bar recipe

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/classic-tangy-lemon-bars-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-perfect-bars/