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The Best Lemon Bars

4.5 from 211 votes
A sweet shortbread crust is topped with a thick layer of luscious lemon filling, then dusted with powdered sugar for practically perfect lemon bars.
photo of Danelle, author of Let's Dish
Published on , Updated August 31, 2025
4.5 from 211 votes
The Best Lemon Bars

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’ve tried a lot of lemon bars in my day, and I’ve always been a little bit disappointed in the crust to lemon filling ration–until now! These really are the Best Lemon Bars I’ve ever had!

Just check out that thick layer of lemony goodness! It’s the reason these lemon bars are the best, in my opinion.

And my whole family agrees. They can hardly wait for these bars to cool before they dig in.

The Best Lemon Bars

To me, a good lemon bar is the perfect dessert for almost any spring occasion, but citrus fruit is actually in season during the winter, which makes these lemon bars a perfect choice any time of year.

You can never go wrong serving lemon bars at an Easter brunch or buffet. If you won’t be feeding a crowd (or several teenage boys), this recipe can be cut in half easily.

I definitely recommend using the parchment paper trick.  It makes removing the bars from the pan and cutting them so much easier.

If you’ve been searching for a recipe for the Best Lemon Bars, look no further. This is the one!

Be sure to save this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board for later.

The Best Lemon Bars
The Best Lemon Bars

The Best Lemon Bars

A sweet shortbread crust is topped with a thick layer of luscious lemon filling, then dusted with powdered sugar for practically perfect lemon bars.
4.46 from 211 votes
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Course: Desserts
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Calories: 506kcal
Author: Danelle

Ingredients 

For the crust:

  • 3 sticks 3/4 lb. butter, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 3/4 cups flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

  • 6 eggs room temperature
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup flour
  • Confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • Butter a 9 x 13 baking pan, then line the bottom and sides of the pan with parchment paper. This is optional but will make removing the bars from the pan much easier.
  • Make the crust by creaming the butter, sugar and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Stir in the flour.
  • Using your hands, press the dough into the bottom of prepared pan. Chill the pan while the oven preheats to 350°F. Bake the crust for 20–25 minutes, until very lightly browned. (Updated: In earlier versions, I suggested 15 minutes, but many readers have found their crust needs closer to 25–30 minutes. Ovens vary, so watch for golden edges rather than relying only on the timer.)
  • Once the crust is lightly browned, remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.
  • Whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour the lemon mixture over the crust and bake for about 35 minutes, until filling is set. Let cool to room temperature, then refrigerate at least one hour.
  • Cut into squares and dust with confectioners’ sugar. Store any leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator.

Notes

 
Note: In a previous version of this recipe, the crust bake time was listed as 12-15 minutes. Based on reader feedback, many bakers found their crust needed closer to 25–30 minutes. I’ve adjusted the recipe accordingly, but always use visual cues (lightly golden edges, firm set) as your best guide.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 506kcal | Carbohydrates: 79g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 201mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 55g
Keep scrolling for tips, ingredient substitutions, answers to frequently asked questions and more!

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  • 1 star
    So bad. Do not waste your time with this. Proportions are extremely off and the taste comes out horrible. The cook time is also wildly off. Look for any other recipe online. And for the love of everything don’t use the lemon zest unless you like bitter.

4.46 from 211 votes (210 ratings without comment)

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photo of Danelle, author of Let's Dish

Hello! I’m Danelle. Thanks for visiting.

At Let's Dish, I'm bringing a taste of uptown foodie to real-life, everyday meals! Here, I share simple, reliable recipes that make mealtime easy.
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