Oh, the joy of baking lemon bars! There’s something so magical about combining that sweet, buttery crust with a tangy, smooth lemon filling. I remember the first time I made them; the whole house smelled like citrus sunshine, and my friends couldn’t get enough. Every bite is a delightful dance of sweet and tart that makes your taste buds sing. Trust me, once you try these lemon bars, you’ll find yourself whipping them up for every gathering, sunny afternoon, or just because you need a little tangy happiness in your life. They’re simply irresistible!
Ingredients for Lemon Bars
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
How to Prepare Lemon Bars
Making lemon bars is a fun and straightforward process! Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have a delicious treat in no time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This is crucial to ensure your crust bakes perfectly!
- In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour and 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. Give it a good whisk to mix them well.
- Now, add in 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend it all together until the mixture looks crumbly. It should resemble wet sand—yum!
- Next, take this crumbly goodness and press it firmly into the bottom of a greased 8-inch square pan. Make sure it’s even and packed tight. This is your buttery crust!
- Bake that crust in the oven for about 15 minutes, or until it’s lightly golden. While it’s baking, let’s get that zesty lemon filling ready!
- In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Whisk it until it’s nice and smooth—this is where the magic happens!
- Once your crust is done baking, pour that luscious lemon mixture over the warm crust. Don’t worry if it seems a bit thin; that’s what makes it so delightful!
- Now, pop it back in the oven for another 20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the filling is set and has a slight jiggle.
- Let those lemon bars cool completely in the pan before cutting them into squares. Trust me, the waiting is worth it!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Incredibly easy to make, even for beginners!
- Perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors that brighten your day.
- Great for potlucks, picnics, or just a treat for yourself.
- Delightfully refreshing and light, making them perfect for warm days.
- They look beautiful dusted with powdered sugar—an elegant touch!
Tips for Success
To ensure your lemon bars turn out absolutely perfect, here are a few of my favorite tips! First, make sure your butter is softened but not melted; this helps create that flaky crust we all love. When pressing the crust into the pan, don’t rush it—equal pressure is key for even baking. For the filling, fresh lemon juice is a game changer; it really enhances the flavor, so don’t skimp! Lastly, let the bars cool completely before slicing. This helps them set nicely and makes cutting much easier. Trust me, these little details make all the difference!
Nutritional Information
Here’s a quick look at the estimated nutritional values for one delightful lemon bar. Keep in mind that these values are approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients you use:
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 50mg
These lemon bars are a delightful treat that balances sweetness and tanginess while still being a relatively light dessert option. Enjoy every zesty bite!
FAQ About Lemon Bars
Can I use bottled lemon juice? Yes, you can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch, but I highly recommend fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. It really makes a difference in that zesty brightness!
How do I store leftover lemon bars? Store your leftover lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Just make sure they’re cool before you cover them to keep that crust nice and crisp!
Can I freeze lemon bars? Absolutely! To freeze, wrap each lemon bar tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a resealable bag. They’ll keep well for up to two months. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving.
What’s the best way to cut lemon bars? For clean cuts, I suggest using a sharp knife and wiping it with a damp cloth between cuts. This helps keep those edges nice and neat!
Why are my lemon bars runny? If your lemon bars are runny, they might not have baked long enough. Make sure the filling is set with just a slight jiggle before you take them out of the oven. Trust the texture!
Serving Suggestions
These lemon bars are a delightful treat on their own, but let’s take them up a notch! I love serving them with a cup of fragrant tea for a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. You can also garnish with fresh berries for a burst of color or a dollop of whipped cream for extra creaminess. Enjoy!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
To keep your lemon bars fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Make sure they’re completely cool before sealing to maintain that lovely crust! If you want to enjoy them warm, you can reheat individual bars in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat them, or they might lose that refreshing zing. Enjoy your zesty treats whenever you like!
For more delicious dessert recipes, check out this lemon tart recipe or this New York-style cheesecake!
Imprimer
Lemon Bars That Will Brighten Your Day: 5 Simple Steps
- Temps Total: 50 minutes
- Rendement: 16 bars 1x
- Alimentation: Végétarien
Description
Lemon bars are a tangy and sweet dessert with a buttery crust and a smooth lemon filling.
Ingrédients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix flour and powdered sugar.
- Add butter and blend until crumbly.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a greased 8-inch square pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes.
- In another bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt.
- Pour the lemon mixture over the baked crust.
- Bake for an additional 20 minutes.
- Let cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
- Temps De Préparation: 15 minutes
- Temps De Cuisson: 35 minutes
- Catégorie: Dessert
- Méthode: Baking
- Cuisine: American
La Nutrition
- Taille D'Une Portion: 1 bar
- Calories: 150
- Sucre: 12g
- De Sodium: 50mg
- La graisse: 7g
- Graisses Saturées: 4g
- Les Graisses Insaturées: 2g
- Les Gras Trans: 0g
- Les hydrates de carbone: 20g
- La fibre: 0g
- La protéine: 2g
- Le taux de cholestérol: 30mg
Mots-clés: lemon bars, dessert, sweet, tangy
