The Best Lemon Bars Recipe
The Best Lemon Bars Recipe: soft and luxurious lemon bars with a bright zippy flavor and light cookie base. These are the best lemon squares we’ve ever had!
Lemon Bars
Little squares of pure sunshine… That’s what I’ve got for you today.
I’m sharing what we think is The Best Lemon Bars Recipe in the whole wide world! They are perfect for Spring picnics, Summer BBQ’s and pretty much any time you need a light dessert to lift your spirits!
Lemon bars are a treat I treasure intensely. I’m crazy over the buttery crust, and the tart custard filling. Together they make a delicately balanced dessert that is great for any occasion.
Every time I make them, I secretly want to keep them all for myself. But in the end… I do share.
Lemon Bar Recipe
Get your shopping list ready because if you’re missing any of these ingredients you won’t be able to make this fabulous Lemon Bar Recipe!
For the Filling:
- eggs – regular eggs will do.
- sugar – this can’t be a dessert without sugar, plus it balances out the acidic lemon.
- all-purpose flour – not bread flour and not cake flour.
- lemon zest – freshly zested is best.
- freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice – or regular lemons.
- whole milk – whole milk works best for this recipe so if you normally don’t buy whole milk, try getting a half gallon size or smaller.
For the Crust:
- cake flour – this can also be made mixing all purpose flour and corn starch together.
- sugar – more sugar!
- salt – as a flavor enhancer and balancer.
- vanilla extract – vanilla flavored cookie crust, yum!
- melted butter – this helps hold all the dry ingredients together.
- white chocolate chips – pushed into the cookie crust to create hidden gems in each bite.
Lemon Squares
This Lemon Squares Recipe is my personal favorite variation. The bright flavor comes from Meyer lemon juice and zest, and just the right amount of sugar to create a tangy-sweet sensation.
Meyer lemons have a unique lemon essence. They are slightly less acidic than standard lemons, with a light floral after taste.
If you can’t find them, it’s ok to use regular lemons.
Cookie Crust
Besides this amazing soft cookie crust, my surprise ingredient is a layer of white chocolate chips that are pressed into the crust. The little pops of sweet creamy white chocolate are a lovely contrast to the acidic citrus layer.
Just press them into the crust, then pour the filling over the top.
If you’re allergic to chocolate or just aren’t feeling this addition, feel free to leave the white chocolate chips out and proceed with the recipe.
Lemon Squares Recipe
After baking, let the bars cool completely before cutting. Then slice them into squares or rectangular bars, and sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar.
Once you taste these, you will understand the intrigue.
Hand-held happiness you can sink your teeth into!
How To Make Lemon Bars
- Make the Crust: Pour cake flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Pulse in the vanilla extract and melted butter until the mixture is soft and crumbly. Dump the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press the crumbs into an even layer. Then sprinkle the white chocolate chips over the crust and press them into the dough. Bake the crust!
- Make the Lemon Filling: Zest the lemons, making sure not to zest too deeply. You only want the yellow flesh, not the white bitter skin below. Place the eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk in a bowl. Whisk well to combine. Then pour the filling over the baked crust.
- Finishing Up: Bake until the filling is set in the center. Cool to room temperature. Then lift the entire sheet of bars out of the pan by the edges of the foil and cut into pieces. *You can sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar if you like!
Voila! A delicious lemony dessert perfect for Springtime!
Do Lemon Bars Have To Be Refrigerated?
My recommendation for storage is you can leave the bars out at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for up to 10 days.
I personally like to make my lemon squares last as long as possible and store them in the fridge, unless I made them for a gathering.
In that case, leaving them out is fine.
Give these lemon bars a try for your next big gathering or just because! They are sure to brighten the mood in your life as well as others.
And don’t forget to leave a comment and review down below to tell us how you liked this recipe!
See The Recipe Card Below For How To Make The Best Lemon Bars. Enjoy!
other lemon recipes you might like:
- Perfect Homemade Lemon Curd
- Lemon Chicken Recipe (Paleo)
- Carson’s Stevia Lemonade
- Lemon Cookie Recipe
- Lemon Spaghetti from Real House Moms
The Best Lemon Bars Recipe
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 1/4 cups cake flour, or 2 cups all-purpose flour + 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 12 tablespoons melted butter
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
For the Filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons Meyer lemon zest
- 2/3 cup fresh-squeezed Meyer lemon juice
- 1/3 cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 X 13-inch baking dish with foil or parchment paper.
- For the Crust: Pour cake flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor (or stand mixer.) Pulse in the vanilla extract and melted butter until the mixture is soft and crumbly. Dump the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Press the crumbs into an even layer. Then sprinkle the white chocolate chips over the crust and press them into the dough. Bake the crust for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, zest the lemons, making sure not to zest too deeply. You only want the yellow flesh, not the white bitter skin below. Place the eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk in a bowl. Whisk well to combine. Then pour the filling over the baked crust.
- Bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the filling is set in the center. Cool to room temperature. Then lift the entire sheet of bars out of the pan by the edges of the foil and cut into pieces. *You can sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar if you like!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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I love this recipe great balance of tart and sweetness. My kids love them❤
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These lemon bars are fantastic! I’ve made these multiple times and have shared them with many people, and each time everyone asks me for the recipe and tells me that they are the best lemon bars they have ever had.
The lemon bar recipe you make is very good. I really like this dish. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
I want to make a large batch of these to share with a couple of my neighbors. Can I make these in a jelly roll pan, and if so, would I double or triple the recipe? Thank you!
Hi Susanne,
Honestly, it would be best if you made two batches in two 9X13 inch baking dishes, because of the height/thickness. However, if you happen to have an XL rimmed 18 X 26 inch sheet pan, you can line it with foil coming up the sides to keep in any slippage, and you should be safe with a double recipe. Does that make sense?
So yummy, by far the best I have made.
What a great addition the white chocolate chips make. They are definitely 5 stars plus. Thanks so much for sharing this delicious treat!
Lemon bars are one of my absolute favorites!! Love those added white chocolate chips!
These lemon bars just scream summer and sun to me! So delicious!
These lemon bars are delicious!! It made for the perfect summer treat!
Lemon Bars are my favorite dessert. This recipe nails it!
This looks amazing. I love lemon bars.
Hi I am a little confused does the filling require 1 and 2/3 cups of sugar or only 2/3 of a cup of sugar? Thank you
Hi Caroline,
It’s 1 and 2/3 cups sugar for the filling. Our recipe form does not shrink fractions down. Sorry for the confusion. :)
This was such a great recipe, it had just the right amount of lemon flavor!
I love the white chocolate and lemon flavor! These lemon bars are amazing.
The topping to crust ratio was perfect! And I loved the addition of white chocolate chips!!!
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can you use regular lemons instead of meyer lemons. I cant find them in my area
never mind, I reread your comments and see that I can.
These are absolutely wonderful!! I love lemon bars.
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So bold and pretty!!
A personal favorite of mine and I don’t want to share either!
These absolutely look amazing!
I love the white chocolate addition Sommer!
These are gorgeous!!!
dying over these! lemon bars are always decadent!
I regularly make lemon drizzle cake and will definitely try this it looks yummy! One thing though… I am allergic to all types of chocolate, do I have to use it for this?
Hi Sonu,
You can leave the white chocolate out. :)
These lemon bars are so pretty & I bet sooooo tasty!
These look tasty!
Oh. my. word. White chocolate? I was in love with this recipe already but then I got to the white chocolate step. Now I’m on my way to the store!