Is anyone else a massive fan of all things lemon? As long as it does not taste like cleaning fluid, of course. (So most lemon candies are a no-no). They are sweet and tart at the same time, and generally not so rich that you feel like you need to lay on the couch for half an hour afterward.
If you love old-fashioned bar recipes, try my Lunch Lady PB & J bars or my Old-fashioned DAte Bars.
So for all of you lemon lovers out there, this lemon bars recipe is perfect for you.
Did you know women during the Renaissance used lemon juice to make their lips red? That is a super inexpensive substitute for lipstick. Although, lemons were probably a lot more expensive back then and let’s face it, there’s probably a reason that people stopped using it as lipstick. Probably because lemon juice stings, is drying, and not that great for your skin.
But lemon bars are super delicious, sweet, rich, and buttery.
They have a buttery crust that sits on the bottom of the bars and a rich top where the lemon flavoring sits. If you’d like you could even add some lemon zest to your crust to make it taste lemony as well!
Also, lemon bars are supposed to be cooked. Apparently, this is not a thing people who do not make lemon bars know. Eggs go into the top of the bars, and although the crust has no egg whatsoever and so can be eaten raw, the top cannot. They need to be cooked until the top is golden brown or until it does not jiggle.
Also, always sift powdered sugar onto the top of the lemon bars! It adds a nice sweetness and also looks much prettier. It’s also traditional for some strange reason (probably for the taste).
Tip for making this lemon bars recipe with your kids: Let them sprinkle the powdered sugar! Though that might mean pouring it, and just piles of powdered sugar on your lemon bars, it’s probably the most fun part of making them. Your lemon bars might taste a little too sweet, but they will have fun. If you’re worried about them spreading it easily, put the powdered sugar into a salt or pepper shaker and let them go at it!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup softened butter
- 1 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour plus 3 tablespoons
- 4 slightly beaten eggs
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 3/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup half and half
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a medium bowl, cut the softened butter into the 1 cup flour and 1/4 cups of the granulated sugar.
- Press mixture into bottom of a 9×13 pan.
- Bake for 20-25 mins.
- Meanwhile, in a medium bowl stir the eggs, the remaining 1 1/2 cups of white sugar, the 3 tablespoons of flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and half and half.
- Pour filling over the hot crust.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the center is set. Sift powdered sugar over top.
- Cut into bars and enjoy!
If you’re a fan of lemon, try some easy Lemon Lavender Quick Bread, Two Ingredient Lemon Cake, or a Lemon Basil Gin Fizz Cocktail.
