Lemon pie bars are a delightful dessert that combines the tangy flavor of lemon with a buttery shortbread crust. These bars are easy to make and perfect for any occasion, from a casual afternoon snack to a special dessert for a party. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make lemon pie bars from scratch, so you can enjoy the fresh, citrusy flavor of lemon in every bite.
Ingredients for Lemon Pie Bars
For the Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
For the Lemon Filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4-5 lemons)
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
For the Topping:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
How to Make Lemon Pie Bars
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. Make the Crust
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, and salt.
- Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking pan in an even layer.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
3. Make the Lemon Filling
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the lemon filling over the baked crust and return the pan to the oven.
- Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles in the center.
4. Cool and Serve
- Remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, dust the top of the bars with powdered sugar.
- Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board.
- Cut into squares and serve.
About the Main Ingredients
Lemon
Lemons are the star ingredient in these lemon pie bars, providing their signature bright and tangy flavor. Fresh lemon juice and zest give these bars a refreshing and citrusy taste that is perfect for a summer dessert.
Butter
Butter is used in both the crust and the lemon filling, adding richness and a buttery flavor to the bars. Using cold butter and cutting it into the flour helps create a tender and flaky crust.
Eggs
Eggs are used to bind the ingredients together and provide structure to the bars. They also help create a smooth and creamy texture in the lemon filling.
Sugar
Granulated sugar is used to sweeten both the crust and the lemon filling. Powdered sugar is used for dusting the top of the bars for a decorative finish.
Tips for Making the Perfect Lemon Pie Bars
- Use Fresh Lemon Juice: For the best flavor, use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice has a brighter and more vibrant flavor that will make your bars taste fresh and delicious.
- Chill the Bars Before Serving: For easier slicing and serving, chill the bars in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This will help them set up and hold their shape better.
- Store in the Refrigerator: Store any leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The bars can also be frozen for up to 1 month.
- Experiment with Other Citrus: If you like, you can experiment with other citrus fruits, such as limes or oranges, to create different flavor variations of these bars.
