Lemon Bars Recipe

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt

For the lemon filling:

• 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (30g) all-purpose flour
• 4 large eggs
• ⅔ cup (160ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
• 2 tsp lemon zest (optional, for extra lemon flavor)
• Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions:

1. Prepare the crust:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the flour and salt, and mix until the dough comes together. It may be crumbly, but that’s okay!
• Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
• Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the crust is set and lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

2. Make the lemon filling:

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour to prevent lumps.
• Add the eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest, and whisk until smooth and well combined.

3. Bake the lemon bars:

• Pour the lemon mixture over the pre-baked crust.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggly in the center.
• Let the bars cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour to set fully.

4. Serve:

• Once chilled, dust the top with powdered sugar.
• Slice into squares or bars and enjoy!

Tips:

• For extra lemony flavor, increase the lemon zest or add a bit more juice.
• Refrigerating before slicing helps the bars set and makes cutting cleaner.
• For a clean slice, use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts.

These lemon bars are perfect for a refreshing and tangy treat!