An Easy Lemon Bar Recipe with a buttery shortbread crust, topped with a layer of tart lemon curd and luscious lemon frosting! These sweet-tart lemon bars are easy to make and so delicious!
If you love these lemons bars, the next time try the no bake lemon icebox pie recipe.
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ The creamy, luscious frosting - it's unbelievably delicious!
✔️ Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
✔️ This is an easy make-ahead dessert.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- flour
- powdered sugar
- butter
- cream cheese
- sugar
- eggs
- baking powder
- lemons
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions for this classic lemon bars recipe. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Preheat the oven
- Add all of the ingredients for the crust in a food processor.
- Process until it looks like a fine powder.
- Pour the ingredients into a greased pan and press into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- Prepare the filling. Mix together and pour the lemon curd filling over the hot crust.
- Return to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool completely.
- Mix together the frosting and frost the bars. Slice and enjoy the lemon squares!
Equipment
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- Jellyroll pan
- Large mixing bowl - I have this set and am so pleased with the use and durability.
- I love the retro look of this food processor and it's reasonably priced as well!
FAQ's
On average each lemon will give you about 2 tablespoons of juice. For this recipe, you’ll need a total ½ cup of fresh lemon juice. Plan accordingly, you'll need about 4+ lemons.
Yes, you should refrigerate the lemon bars after baking. The bars contain eggs, butter
This is perfect too if you have unexpected company – you’ll be the star whipping out some homemade treats!
Jiggly like jello! 🤣 If they aren't firm when you slice them the curd will ooze and fall apart.
Tips
- Store them in an airtight container, refrigerated.
- Be generous with the frosting, it's amazing!
- Decorating with sprinkles is totally optional.
- For the best lemon flavor, I recommend using fresh lemons for the juice if possible.
- If you'd prefer instead of topping with frosting, sprinkle confectioners' sugar over the top.
Storage
Refrigerator - Store in a single layer, refrigerate in an airtight container.
Freezer - These lemon bars freeze great! Wrap well with plastic wrap, freeze up to three months.
Related recipes
If you've been following the blog for any length of time you know my hubby Dan loves dessert. Some his favorites are:
- Banana Chocolate Bars - think luscious frosted homemade brownies.
- Homemade Pecan Sandies - a crispy cookie with pecans and figs, great with a cup of coffee.
- Frosted Butterscotch Cookies this is old fashioned recipe is topped with a delicious brown butter frosting.
Serve with
Coffee is my first choice, these are sweet and tart, a great cup of coffee really balances that out.
These are terrific all year long and the first thing to go at potlucks and family gatherings!
Don't forget to check out my Amazon storefront for some of my favorite products! 🛍️
If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Easy Lemon Bar Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Crust
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter (2 cubes) cold butter diced into small cubes
- For the Filling
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- ¼ cup lemon juice fresh
- 2 tablespoon flour heaping tablespoons!
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- For the Frosting
- ½ cup butter room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup lemon juice you can add a little zest here also!
I earn a commission from Instacart from qualifying purchases.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Add all of the ingredients for the crust in a food processor. Process until it looks like a fine powder consistency.
- Pour the ingredients into a greased 10x15" jellyroll pan and spread out evenly. Press down. Bake in preheated oven for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
- While the crust is baking prepare the filling. In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs with the sugar. Add in the lemon juice, flour, baking powder and lemon zest. Whisk until smooth.
- Pour over the hot crust, spreading evenly. Return to the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the frosting and frost the bars, decorating with sprinkles if desired. Slice into 48 bars. Refrigerate.
Debi
Lemon bars are one of my favorite treats! These look like so much fun!
Bowl Me Over
What can I say, I'm a fan of sprinkles! 🙂
MICHELE
As I read the post I was so excited to see that I could freeze some for later.... then I made them. You should put a disclaimer on there you need to make a double batch if you want to freeze some... there wasnt a one left after a morning coffee club. We ate every last bite of them! THANK YOU !
Bowl Me Over
Ha!!! THAT got a belly laugh! Dan can power thru the whole pan himself. I freeze them to hide them! 🙂 Glad everyone loved the bars!!
Julie Menghini
My man and his wife have a sweet tooth! These lemon bars look delicious and perfect for a party!
Lois
These bars are just wonderful. They freeze well to. Just a delicious treat.
Bowl Me Over
Thank you so much!