American · Dessert · Spring
Lemon Bars
4.6 community
20m
Prep
45m
Cook
Easy
Level
280
kcal
A shortbread base under a bright, tart lemon curd that sets in the oven — sharp enough to make you blink, sweet enough to take another.
What you need
Ingredients
Servings
12
200 g
🌾 Flour ›
plus 3 tbsp for the filling
150 g
🧈 Butter ›
cold, cubed
60 g
❄️ Powdered Sugar ›
plus more to dust
4
🥚 Eggs ›
250 g
🍬 Sugar ›
4
🍋 Lemon ›
zest of two, juice of all
Add all to shopping list
Mise en place
Before you start
20m
Prep
45m
Cook
65m
Total
12
Serves
Equipment
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Baking pan
Prep checklist
Flour
— plus 3 tbsp for the filling
Butter
— cold, cubed
Powdered Sugar
— plus more to dust
Lemon
— zest of two, juice of all
3 steps
Method
1
Rub flour, butter, and powdered sugar to damp sand; press into a lined 20×30 cm tin and bake at 175°C until pale gold, 18 minutes.
Learn the technique ›
2
Whisk eggs, sugar, flour, zest, and juice; pour over the hot crust and bake until just set with a slight tremble, 20–22 minutes.
💡
Pouring onto the hot crust seals it — that's what keeps the layers distinct instead of soggy.
3
Cool fully, chill 2 hours, then cut with a hot knife and dust generously with powdered sugar.
From the chef
Notes
Taste before serving and adjust salt and acid — the last 30 seconds of seasoning matter more than any single ingredient.
Afterwards
Keep, reheat & pair
Storage
Covered at cool room temperature 2 days, or refrigerated up to 5.
Freezing
Most baked desserts freeze well for 2 months, tightly wrapped.
Reheating
Most baked desserts revive in a 150°C oven for 5–8 minutes. Custards and mousses are served cold — never reheat.
Make ahead
Almost every dessert here is better made a day ahead — flavors settle and textures set. Add crisp toppings just before serving.
Wine pairing
A small glass of something sweeter than the dessert itself.
Beer pairing
An imperial stout alongside chocolate is a genuinely great pairing; otherwise coffee.
On the plate
Serve it with
Sides
·
Softly whipped cream
·
A scoop of vanilla ice cream
·
Fresh berries
Garnish
Powdered sugar
Chocolate shavings
A few flakes of sea salt
Taste map
Flavor profile
Sweet
Salty
Sour
Bitter
Umami
Heat
Per serving
Nutrition
280
kcal
4g
protein
40g
carbs
12g
fat
3g
fiber
520mg
sodium
Just for you
My notes
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