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Home / Holidays and Events / Christmas / Desserts

Creamy Lemon Bar Recipe

4.06
/5
37 minutes
20 Comments
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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 04/06/2020

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

The best Creamy Lemon Bars have an easy shortbread crust and a layer of thick and creamy lemon filling. Perfectly tangy and sweet - such a classic dessert recipe that anyone can make! #lemonbars #lemonsquares #lemon #citrus #bars #dessert #baking #dessertrecipe #easyrecipe #spring
The best Creamy Lemon Bars have an easy shortbread crust and a layer of thick and creamy lemon filling. Perfectly tangy and sweet - such a classic dessert recipe that anyone can make! #lemonbars #lemonsquares #lemon #citrus #bars #dessert #baking #dessertrecipe #easyrecipe #spring

The best Creamy Lemon Bars have an easy shortbread crust and a layer of thick and creamy lemon filling. So tangy and sweet – a classic dessert recipe!

These Creamy Lemon Bars are such a fun, easy dessert, and SO delicious!  We love fabulous Spring/Summer desserts, like my Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream (no churn), and Blackberry Cobbler.   This is one of my Dessert recipes you’ll definitely want in your collection!

Lemon bars with lemon slice on top with powdered sugar

LEMON BAR RECIPE

This is the ultimate in refreshing and light desserts… creamy lemon squares made all from scratch with a buttery shortbread crust, and tangy and bright lemon filling!  So foolproof… anyone can make these!

This is the time of year where I start to crave things that remind me of Spring and Summer… like my Kentucky Lemonade!

Making these lemon squares is a cinch, and involves a simple two part process!

Seriously… no cutting cold butter into flour and pressing it down into a pan just to have it sort of blend in with the lemon filling.

This recipe just calls for mixing ingredients in a bowl and adding it to the pan.  And no complicated lemon custard making process – just whisk the filling ingredients and pour over the crust!

HOW TO MAKE LEMON BARS

  1. Prepare baking pan and preheat oven.
  2. Combine shortbread ingredients.  No need for any fancy tools here, just a rubber spatula and mixing bowl.  Then use your fingers or the back of the same spatula to press the crust into the pan in an even layer.
  3. Pre-bake crust.  Just 10 minutes – this is to help solidify the crust so it can hold up to the lemon filling we’ll add later.  Set aside once it’s out of the oven.
  4. Combine lemon filling ingredients.  Add everything to a mixing bowl and just use a whisk to combine them.  Careful not to whisk overly vigorously – we don’t want to incorporate a lot of air into the filling.
  5. Pour filling over crust and bake.  Bake for about 22-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and edges are lightly golden.
  6. Cool and refrigerate.  Cool at room temperature, with the pan on a wire rack, for about 1-2 hours, then cover with foil and refrigerate several hours, or until cool.

Lemon bars stacked on top of each other

ADDITIONAL COOKING TIPS

  • FRESH IS BEST – when it comes to these lemon bars, freshly squeezed juice is ALWAYS going to taste the best.  Store-bought bottles are convenient and work in a pinch, but try to get fresh lemons if possible.
  • AIR BUBBLES – if there are air bubbles, even white-ish colored ones, on the top of your bars – no need to panic!   You didn’t do anything wrong – I promise!  Air rises to the surface, mainly from the eggs, as these bars bake, and the bubbles can get caught in the filling.  It doesn’t effect the taste at all, and can easily be covered up with a dusting of powdered sugar!
  • TYPE OF DISH – I haven’t noticed this personally, but I’ve read and heard from several of you that lemon bars baked in a metal pan can have a slightly metallic taste.  So to be safe, I would recommend baking these bars in a ceramic or glass dish.

Forkful of lemon bar

VARIATIONS OF THIS RECIPE

  • NO BUTTERMILK – most folks don’t keep buttermilk hanging around the house, so if you don’t have it – no need to stress.  You can either add regular milk, or omit the milk completely.  I like the extra creaminess it adds, but it’s not essential for this recipe.
  • OTHER CITRUS – this recipe is fabulous with other citrus fruits!  Try lime, orange, grapefruit or blood orange flavors!

MAKING CREAMY LEMON BARS AHEAD OF TIME

These bars are great to make a day or so ahead of time!  Just don’t dust them with the powdered sugar until you’re ready to serve them, since the sugar will dissolve into the bar.

STORAGE

I like my lemon squares to be served cold, so I keep mine in the refrigerator, but they are safe to keep at room temperature if you’d prefer them that way.

Refrigerated in an airtight container, they’ll last about a week.

The best Creamy Lemon Bars have an easy shortbread crust and a layer of thick and creamy lemon filling. Perfectly tangy and sweet - such a classic dessert recipe that anyone can make! #lemonbars #lemonsquares #lemon #citrus #bars #dessert #baking #dessertrecipe #easyrecipe #spring

FREEZING

Slice the cooled bars (without powdered sugar on top) into squares, then place onto a baking sheet.

Freeze for 1 hour. Wrap each bar individually in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place into a large bag or container to freeze. Bars can be frozen for about 3 months.

Thaw in the refrigerator, dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!

SPECIAL EQUIPMENT FOR THIS RECIPE

  • Square Baking Pan –  this dish works really well, and cleanup is easy!
  • Powdered Sugar Duster – makes getting that perfect dusting of sugar a cinch!

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN TO CHECK OUT OTHER READERS’ COMMENTS FOR TIPS AND REVIEWS.

AND DON’T FORGET, IF YOU’VE MADE THIS RECIPE, LEAVE A COMMENT AND PLEASE GIVE IT A STAR RATING LETTING ME KNOW HOW YOU ENJOYED IT!

Recipe originally published in Mar. 2017 but has been updated in April 2020 with additional information.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Lemon bars with lemon slice on top with powdered sugar

Creamy Lemon Bar Recipe

4.06 from 17 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Calories: 246
Servings: 12 bars
(hover over # to adjust)
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The best Creamy Lemon Bars have an easy shortbread crust and a layer of thick and creamy lemon filling. 

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust:

  • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 3 Tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp cornstarch

Lemon Filling:

  • 3 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice, fresh is absolutely best
  • 6 Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp buttermilk
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder

For serving:

  • powdered sugar
  • lemon slices (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Line an 8x8" baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper, lightly sprayed with cooking spray. Set aside.
  • Combine crust ingredients (melted butter, flour, powdered sugar and cornstarch) in a mixing bowl, then press into bottom of prepared pan.  Keep crust in an even layer, as much as possible.  Bake 10 minutes, then set aside.
  • While crust is baking, combine filling ingredients (eggs, sugar, zest, juice, flour, buttermilk, and baking powder), and whisk to combine.  Try not to whisk too vigorously, as you don't want to incorporate a lot of air into the filling.
  • Pour over baked crust and bake (still at 350 degrees F), for 22-25 minutes, until filling has set and edges are lightly golden brown.  
  • Cool completely, cover with foil, then refrigerate.
  • To slice bars, I find it easiest to lift up on the foiling lining in the pan, to remove the bars from the pan.  Slice into 12 bars.  Before serving, dust bars with powdered sugar and garnish with a lemon slice if desired.

Want to save this recipe for later? Click the heart in the bottom right corner to save to your own recipe box!

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Hey there! I'm Amanda. Wife, mother, photography nerd, and bacon lover! I believe that delicious meals should be easy to make. Now that you’re here, stay a bit, browse a few recipes, and let’s get cookin’!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Kristy says

    Posted on 3/30 at 4:39 pm

    Absolutely love this recipe! I didn’t have to change or add anything. I did however have to double it for our family and for church. They’re fresh and amazing!

    Reply
  2. Liz Anderson says

    Posted on 10/1 at 9:47 pm

    So I made these for a bake sale, and I found that I only had half of the lemon juice that the recipe called for. I grated the lemon, hoping that would help. They turned out very pretty, especially after I put the powdered sugar on top. Unfortunately, they seemed kind of gummy and lacking in lemon flavor. I think this was completely due to the lack of lemon juice. I will try this recipe again.

    Reply
  3. Theresa devore says

    Posted on 5/17 at 8:12 pm

    My first time ever making lemon bars. I did these for my daughters baby shower. They turned out great and the platter was empty in minutes.

    Reply
  4. Suzy says

    Posted on 4/9 at 10:07 am

    I am loving how easy these are to make! The lemon flavor is just perfect!

    Reply
  5. Cathy says

    Posted on 4/8 at 5:08 pm

    You can never have too many lemon bar recipes…excited to add this one to my collection!!

    Reply
  6. Haley D Williams says

    Posted on 4/8 at 3:08 pm

    Don’t mind if I do! These looks great I have to make them up asap!

    Reply
  7. Vikki says

    Posted on 4/8 at 1:16 am

    Love these lemon bars! So creamy and I love the flavor

    Reply
  8. Dorothy Reinhold says

    Posted on 4/7 at 10:08 pm

    The tangy lemon filling is the best! Gathering the ingredients right now!

    Reply
  9. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

    Posted on 4/7 at 10:00 pm

    These Creamy Lemon Bars are mouth watering!

    Reply
  10. Jen says

    Posted on 4/7 at 1:00 pm

    These are like little rays of sunshine! The perfect treat on this cold, dreary day. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. S says

    Posted on 11/12 at 5:24 pm

    I made these and my family loved it! A bit too sweet/rich for me personally… Very easy to make!

    Reply
  12. Julie @ Back To My Southern Roots says

    Posted on 4/17 at 10:51 pm

    These look amazing. I love that you added buttermilk. I’m trying these very soon! Thanks for sharing the recipe. 

    Reply
  13. Rachel says

    Posted on 4/2 at 12:30 am

    These were great! So easy and delicious. I never bother to rate recipes but I had to for this one. I love lemon and this is a recipe I’ll definitely make again. 

    Reply
  14. Cookin Canuck says

    Posted on 3/6 at 10:35 am

    Lemon bars are one of my all-time favorite desserts, and it looks as though you absolutely nailed these!

    Reply
  15. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

    Posted on 3/3 at 3:34 pm

    Wow, those look absolutely perfect and I love the added tang of the buttermilk!

    Reply
  16. Cathy Trochelman says

    Posted on 3/3 at 1:31 pm

    These seriously look like the BEST lemon bars ever!

    Reply
  17. Melanie | Melanie Makes says

    Posted on 3/2 at 10:28 pm

    These look incredible, Amanda – the perfect square for springtime!

    Reply
  18. Jen says

    Posted on 3/2 at 12:06 pm

    I’ll workout extra today so I can have two because I’m not sure one will be enough!

    Reply
  19. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

    Posted on 3/2 at 11:50 am

    Gosh this is sensational!

    Reply
  20. Erren says

    Posted on 3/2 at 11:28 am

    I don’t think it counts if I have 3 of these, I love the calory count though! They look so yum!

    Reply

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