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All Posts / Easy Lemon Bars Recipe

Easy Lemon Bars Recipe

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By Rosie Published: January 28, 2018 Updated: February 10, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links.

Simple homemade classic lemon bars made with real lemon juice and a delicious shortbread base!

A stack of homemade lemon bars sprinkled with powdered sugar.
Table of Contents
  1. The Easiest, Tangiest Homemade Lemon Bars Recipe
  2. Homemade Lemon Bars

The Easiest, Tangiest Homemade Lemon Bars Recipe

When I first started my YouTube channel and blog, homemade lemon bars was one of my first recipes. So many of my viewers loved that recipe; however, when I switched my blog over to a different host, some of my recipes magically disappeared. My recipe for lemon bars from scratch happened to be one of them. I’ve been meaning to post the recipe for years, but it somehow got put on the back burner to other recipes. Today, I am finally going to post my recipe for easy lemon bars!

A light blue plate stacked with bright yellow lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar.

This recipe is a tad bit different from my original recipe, but no worries, these homemade lemon bars are even better than before! These sweet and tangy lemon bars are simply amazing, and if you’re a lemon lover like me, you’re going to love this recipe!

Share & save this easy lemon bars recipe on Pinterest!

Two images of lemon bars being assembled and the finished product. Image text overlay reads: "Homemade Lemon Bars, iheartrecipes.com".

Print the recipe below, and donโ€™t forget to tag and follow me onย Facebook,ย Instagram, andย Pinterest,ย subscribe to I Heart Recipes on YouTube, and check out all my cookbooks!

Homemade Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are a classic, refreshing dessert that everyone loves. This simple recipe will be a hit wherever you serve them!
Watch Video Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course Dessert / Treat
Cuisine American
Keyword Lemon Bars
Prep Time 25 minutes minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes minutes
Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes
Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

lemon filling:

  • 1 & ยฝ cups granulated sugar
  • ยผ cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • ยฝ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tsp lemon zest

Shortbread base:

  • 1 & ยพ cups all-purpose flour
  • ยฝ cup granulated sugar
  • ยผ cup cornstarch
  • ยผ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup softened unsalted butter
  • ยฝ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  • Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper, and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, ground nutmeg, cornstarch, sugar, and salt.
  • Add the butter to the flour mixture, and mix until it’s crumbly .
  • Place the mixture into the prepared baking pan and press it down into a even layer.
  • Bake the shortbread base for 20-25 minutes,
  • Remove from the oven and set aside.

To make the lemon filling:

  • In a large mixing bowl, add the granulated sugar and flour.
  • Whisk until well combined.
  • Add in the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
  • Mix until well combined.
  • Pour the lemon filling over the shortbread.
  • Bake at 350ยฐF for 20-22 minutes or until the lemon filling is set.
  • Remove from the oven, and let cool until at room temperature.
  • Place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
  • Sift a little powdered sugar on top.
  • Serve & enjoy

Video

If you loved this recipe, leave me a review below. This helps future recipe makers and ensures continued high-quality recipes for years to come!
© 2025 I Heart Recipes
Recipe by: I Heart Recipes

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EXPLORE RECIPE CATEGORIESAll Posts, Bars, Dessert, Easter, Featured

MEET THE RECIPE AUTHOR

Rosie

Iโ€™m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my familyโ€”whether theyโ€™re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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Comments

  1. Debbie says

    January 28, 2018 at 2:38 pm

    Does the cornstarch makes it crispy?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      January 28, 2018 at 4:48 pm

      I wouldn’t say “crispy”, but it definitely adds to the recipe. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    • Miesha Sanders says

      November 13, 2021 at 8:30 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe! So easy and it’s delicious!

      Reply
  2. Karen Cook says

    January 28, 2018 at 6:36 pm

    5 stars
    I love lemons and shortbread, so I am thrilled you decided to post your Lemon Bar recipe…they are beautiful as you are too!

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      January 29, 2018 at 8:55 am

      Thanks so much Karen!! I hope that you have an amazing week!

      Reply
  3. Lady j says

    January 29, 2018 at 5:48 am

    When I put it in refrigerator for 2 hours do I need put top covering over 9 1/2 dish ?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      January 29, 2018 at 8:56 am

      Yes, be sure to cover it ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  4. Ret says

    April 4, 2018 at 8:25 am

    Hi Rosie,

    Being the lemon bar lover that I am, I decided to double the recipe for the filling only. As a result, the strangest thing happened; the crust rose to the top and the filling was underneath. Does this occur with the regular recipe?

    Reply
    • Rosie says

      April 5, 2018 at 11:53 am

      No, that’s never happened to me.. LOL

      Reply
  5. P. Presley says

    April 25, 2019 at 5:50 pm

    I need sugar-free recipes please! Would love lemonbars etc. I want to try all your recipies.

    Reply
  6. Courtney says

    October 26, 2022 at 8:07 am

    5 stars
    I cannot put into words how happy I am that this recipe is back online! It was gone for the longest time and I was so sad. It’s the best lemon bar recipe I’ve ever tried.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hey cousins, itโ€™s Rosie!

Iโ€™m a Soul Food blogger living in the Pacific Northwest, bringing Southern cooking to gorgeous Seattle, Washington. I was born and raised in the PNW, but my family roots go all the way to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where my grandparents were born and raised. I live every day to bring the traditional values, recipes, and love of food to life for my familyโ€”whether theyโ€™re online or in real life. So, welcome to the party, family!

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