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Lemon Bars · Classic Shortbread Crust

Classic Lemon Bars with Shortbread Crust

A crisp, buttery press-in crust topped with a silky, sweet-tart lemon layer and a snowy dusting of powdered sugar. Bright, easy, and always the first thing gone from a dessert table.

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Prep
20 min
Cook
40 min
Total
4 hr
Serves
16 · 16 bars
Level
Easy

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled (125 g)
  • ¼ cup powdered sugar, 30 g
  • ¼ tsp kosher salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (113 g)

Lemon layer

  • 1 cup granulated sugar, 200 g
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest, from about 2 lemons
  • ½ cup lemon juice, fresh, from 3 to 4 lemons (120 ml)

Topping

  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar, for dusting

Steps

  1. Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides.
  2. In a bowl, stir the flour, powdered sugar and salt. Pour in the melted butter and stir until it forms a soft dough.
  3. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan with your fingers.
  4. Bake the crust until the edges are light golden.
  5. While the crust bakes, whisk the sugar, flour and salt in a bowl so the flour has no lumps.
  6. Whisk in the eggs until smooth, then whisk in the lemon zest and juice.
  7. Lower the oven to 325°F (165°C). Pour the lemon mixture over the hot crust.
  8. Bake until the lemon layer is set and no longer wobbles in the center when you nudge the pan.
  9. Cool the pan on a rack to room temperature.
  10. Refrigerate until cold and firm.
  11. Lift out by the parchment, cut into 16 squares and dust with powdered sugar through a strainer just before serving.

Tip: Pour the filling onto the crust while the crust is still hot so the layers bond.

Tip: Dust with powdered sugar right before serving. It soaks into the lemon layer after a few hours.

Tip: For a sharp edge, wipe the knife with a damp paper towel between cuts.

Storage: Covered in the fridge up to 4 days.

Make ahead: Bake the day before and keep chilled. Cut and dust just before serving.

Estimated nutrition per serving: 160 calories · protein 2 g · carbohydrates 23 g · fiber 0 g · sugars 15 g · fat 7 g (saturated 4 g) · sodium 50 mg. Estimate from USDA FoodData Central; not medical or dietary advice. Based on 11 of 11 ingredients.