Easy Lemon Bars

5 from 12 votes

This old-fashioned lemon bars recipe is a classic family favorite with plenty of sweet citrusy goodness and bright lemon color.

Prep Time15

Cook Time45

Total Time1

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Lemon Bars Recipe

Servings:

Calories: 256kcal

Preheat oven to 350°F.
Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
For the crust, mix the butter, sugar, and vanilla together in a medium bowl.
Add the flour and stir to combine.
Press firmly into your prepared pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the edges are light brown.
Add the sugar and flour into a large bowl. Use a whisk to get out any lumps.
Add the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice and whisk until combined.
Pour the filling over the warm crust. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the center is set and doesn’t jiggle.
Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature. Then refrigerate.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Use fresh lemon juice to really enhance the flavor of this recipe, bottled lemon juice will not have the same flavor or texture.
This is one recipe that I really recommend using a glass baking dish for. I just use a standard 9x13 glass casserole dish that you can pick up just about anywhere.
Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to check your crust at the lower end of the recommended baking time.
Once your lemon bars are well chilled, take an oiled and very sharp knife and cut. I recommend wiping it off in between cuts just to get those beautiful, clean lines.