Classic lemon bars. Homemade lemon curd on a buttery shortbread crust, and baked in a 9×13-inch dish. I added lemon into these bars three ways to make the ultimate lemon bar: fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and lemon extract. This is a super easy recipe to make, using just two bowls and a spoon!
You will pre-bake your shortbread crust as you prep the lemon filling, and then pour the lemon filling right on top your warm crust. Then back in the oven to bake up!
Classic Lemon Bars
Print RecipeIngredients
- SHORTBREAD CRUST:
- 1 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (I used Rodelle Bakers Extract)
- pinch of nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- LEMON FILLING:
- 2 cups white granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons flour
- 6 eggs, room temperature
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (approximately 7-8 lemons)
- zest from the 7-8 lemons
- 1 teaspoon lemon extract (I used Rodelle)
Instructions
PREPARE CRUST: Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Line a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with parchment paper, spray with baking spray and set aside. In a large bowl, melt the butter. Stir the granulated sugar, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, nutmeg and flour into the bowl with the melted butter. Once combined, pour the mixture into the prepared pan in an even layer. Bake shortbread crust in 325-degree oven for 22-24 minutes or until the edges are a light golden brown.
PREPARE LEMON FILLING: While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, add the sugar and flour to a sifter and sift. Whisk in all six eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest and lemon extract.
Once crust is baked, remove from the oven and pour the lemon filling on top. Return the bars to the 325-degree oven and bake for an additional 23-24 minutes or until the middle is set and not jiggly.
Remove from oven and let set on the counter for 30-45 minutes before transferring to the refrigerator to set completely. Sprinkled with a generous dusting of powdered sugar when ready to serve.
Notes
Store in the refrigerator. Best if eaten within 2-3 days.
Top with powdered sugar before serving.
LOVE lemon bars?! Then check out these recipes too: LEMON BARS WITH NILLA WAFER CRUST and SUGAR COOKIE LEMON JAM BARS.
XOXO,
Kelly
27 Comments
Kelly | Foodtasia
April 4, 2019 at 3:57 AMKelly, I am so ready for some lemon bars and yours look gorgeous! Love, love, love lemon desserts!
Kelly
April 4, 2019 at 7:06 AMThank you Kelly! Lemon bars are always a favorite right?! Have a great day girlfriend! XOXO
GiGi Eats Celebrities
April 4, 2019 at 7:21 AMIs it weird that I would probably remove the lemon topping and just eat that moist shortbread – DROOOOLLLL!
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:34 AMHahahaha noon…not weird at all. Because I would totally do that too! Because we are like the same person 🙂 XOXO
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
April 5, 2019 at 7:08 AMLemon bars are one of my all-time favorites. These look perfect, Kelly!
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:36 AMThank you Kelsie! I love a good classic!
The Baking ChocolaTess
April 5, 2019 at 10:24 AMLooks so lemony and luscious! YUM!! Pinning!
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:36 AMThank you Kim and thanks for pinning!! XOXO
Ghastly Girl
April 5, 2019 at 11:44 AMI haven’t really tried baking with lemon yet, but it’s definitely one of my favorite flavors. This looks delicious!
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:37 AMThank you!! You definitely need to try these then 🙂 XOXO
Katherine | Love In My Oven
April 5, 2019 at 2:36 PMLOVE lemon bars. Second to chocolate, lemon desserts are my fave!! I think these look fantastic. Happy weekend my friend! XO
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:37 AMThank you Katherine!! We love lemon over here too 🙂 Have a great week my friend! XOXO
Amy
April 6, 2019 at 11:38 AMThese are like a dream come true! They are beautiful, and I can’t wait to try them!!!
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:38 AMThank you Amy! I hope you try them 🙂
pglooney
April 6, 2019 at 3:48 PMFresh lemon juice makes all the difference.
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:39 AMTotally Patrick! Freshly squeezed!! XOXO
Momma
April 7, 2019 at 4:13 PMThis is something dad would love! Lemon is one of his favorites!!
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:39 AMThen I will need to make a batch of these for him!! Love you momma!
Elisa Keener
April 8, 2019 at 8:05 AMMade my first batch of lemon bars ever and these were the best! Amazing lemon flavor and just a simple bar goes a long way, which is perfect when wanting sweets but not a whole lemon pie. This will be a great addition to the summer parties, great job!
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:40 AMYay!! Thanks Elisa! I am so excited that you made these and loved them 🙂 XOXO
Maria | kitchenathoskins
April 9, 2019 at 1:54 AMThese bars screams SPRING!! I’m love with that yellow, brightens up the gloomy rainy season that we have been experiencing:)
Kelly
April 9, 2019 at 7:40 AMRight?!?! I am so ready for the sun and to be rid of gloomy days! These bars bring that brightness 🙂 XOXO
Restaurants in Baguio by Mae
April 9, 2019 at 8:19 PMHaven’t try baking with lemons, but upon reading your recipe maybe it’s for me to try this one. These lemon bars looks tempting and it made me drool over. Gonna have to try this, can’t wait to know the taste.
Kelly
April 10, 2019 at 7:10 AMThank you! You should definitely try this recipe! Let me know what you think if you do!! 🙂
Linda
April 11, 2019 at 6:46 PMThey look delicious. Thank you for sharing on the Classy Flamingos Blog Party this week. poinsettiadr.com
Kelly
April 18, 2019 at 9:47 AMThank you Linda!! And thank you for hosting! XOXO
Debby MayneDebby
April 23, 2019 at 8:01 AMI love anything with lemon in it! And I think this one will be easy to make gluten-free. You have some really yummy looking treats!