Simple Lemon Bars
These Simple Lemon Bars feature a buttery shortbread crust topped with a smooth, tangy lemon curd filling. With just a few ingredients and easy steps, you'll have a refreshing, sweet treat that’s perfect for any occasion.
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Ingredients
For The Shortbread Crust
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white granulated sugar
For The Lemon Curd Filling
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (freshly grated!)
- 3 eggs
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups white granulated sugar
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- Powdered Sugar (for the topping)
Instructions
- First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line your 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper. This ensures easy cleanup later and helps the bars come out just right.
- In a bowl, mix the softened butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Once that’s well combined, add the flour and blend it all together until you have a crumbly dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish. Pop it into the freezer for 10 minutes (this helps it hold its shape during baking). Then, bake it for 10 minutes and let it cool while you make the lemon filling.
- While your crust is cooling, it’s time to focus on that bright lemony goodness! In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Once those are nicely blended, add the sugar and flour, whisking until everything is incorporated.
- Once the crust has cooled for about 20 minutes, pour the lemon mixture over it. Carefully place the dish back in the oven for about 25 minutes. The lemon filling should be set with a slight jiggle in the center. The top should have a light golden color – a perfect sign of readiness!
- Remove your lemon bars from the oven, and let them cool completely at room temperature. After they’ve cooled, place the dish in the refrigerator for at least an hour. The bars need to chill before cutting – this gives the filling time to firm up.
- Once chilled, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the top of the bars. It’s the perfect sweet finish to balance the tart lemon flavor.
- Cut into squares, serve, and prepare to be amazed by how delicious and refreshing these lemon bars are!