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Tangy Lemon Bars Recipe Easy Homemade Buttery Shortbread Crust

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These tangy lemon bars feature a flaky, buttery shortbread crust with a perfectly balanced lemon filling that is neither too sweet nor too sour. Quick and easy to make, they are a refreshing treat perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (32g) all-purpose flour
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with ½ cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Gradually stir in 2 cups all-purpose flour and ¼ teaspoon salt. Fold gently until just combined; dough will be crumbly but should hold together when pressed.
  3. Press dough evenly into a greased 8×8-inch baking pan, covering every corner tightly. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are light golden brown.
  4. While crust bakes, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon lemon zest until smooth and slightly thickened.
  5. Remove crust from oven and pour lemon filling evenly over it. Return to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until filling is just set with a slight jiggle in the center.
  6. Cool completely on a wire rack for at least 1 hour, then chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours to firm up.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing into squares or rectangles. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Use softened but cool butter for the crust to achieve the perfect crumbly texture. Do not overmix after adding flour to keep the crust tender. Pour lemon filling onto hot crust to prevent sogginess. Watch baking time closely to avoid overbaking the filling; it should jiggle slightly when done.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon bars, lemon dessert, shortbread crust, tangy lemon bars, easy lemon bars, homemade lemon bars, buttery crust, quick dessert

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/tangy-lemon-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-buttery-shortbread-crust/