Classic Zesty Lemon Bars

Name: Classic Zesty Lemon Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 4 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar; 1/4 cup all purpose flour; 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice; Powdered sugar for dusting

These bright and buttery lemon bars are the perfect crowd pleasing dessert for any gathering.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 24, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

40 minutes

Total

55 minutes

Serves

There is nothing quite like a classic lemon bar to brighten up your day. These treats feature a crisp buttery shortbread crust topped with a tangy lemon filling that hits the perfect balance of sweet and sour.

I love making these in a 9 by 13 inch pan because they are so easy to cut into squares for a crowd. If you want a perfectly clean cut, wait until they are completely cooled or even chilled in the fridge before slicing.

🧺 Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice
Powdered sugar for dusting

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9 by 13 inch pan with parchment paper.
2
Cream the butter and 1/2 cup sugar together, then mix in the 2 cups of flour and salt until a soft dough forms.
3
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of your prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden.
4
While the crust bakes, whisk together the eggs, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1/4 cup flour, and lemon juice in a medium bowl.
5
Pour the lemon mixture over the warm crust and return the pan to the oven for another 20 minutes.
6
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before dusting the tops with powdered sugar and cutting them into squares.

💡 Tips

Store your lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for up to five days. You can also freeze these bars for up to three months if you want to keep them on hand for a quick treat.

#dessert #lemon #baking #sweet treats #potluck

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.