Classic Lemon Bars

Ingredients

• 1 cupall-purpose flour
• 1/4 cuppowdered sugar, plus more for dusting
• 1/4 tspsalt
• 1/2 cupunsalted butter, softened
• 4large eggs
• 1 1/2 cupsgranulated sugar
• 1/3 cupall-purpose flour (for filling)
• 2/3 cupfresh lemon juice (about 4–5 lemons)
• 1 Tbsplemon zest

Nutrition / serving

No nutrition data for this recipe — tap Nutrition in Ask Chef AI above for an estimate.

Method

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment, leaving overhang on two sides.

2. 2

   Make the crust: combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt, then work in the softened butter with your fingers or a pastry cutter until the mixture holds together when pressed. Press evenly into the pan bottom.

3. 3

   Bake the crust 15–18 minutes, until pale golden at the edges. Leave the oven on.

   ⏱Start 15:00
4. 4

   While the crust bakes, whisk eggs and granulated sugar until smooth, then whisk in the 1/3 cup flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest until no lumps remain.

5. 5

   Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust and return to the oven. Bake 18–20 minutes, until the filling is set and no longer jiggles in the center.

   ⏱Start 18:00
6. 6

   Cool completely on a wire rack, then chill at least 1 hour before lifting out and cutting into bars.

   ⏱Start 1:00:00
7. 7

   Dust generously with powdered sugar just before serving.