With springtime officially upon us, I seem to unload a bounty of citrus from my shopping bags after every visit to the market… to the point where my kitchen is literally overflowing. Fortunately, I’ve discovered a tasty solution to my citrus abundance: lemon bars! I baked these in an 8″ baking dish rather than the typical 13 x 9″ because… well, I like thick bars and I cannot lie. In a perfect world, I’d be noshing on a lemon bar, glass of sangria in hand, with my toes dangling in a pool. If I could only get this finicky spring weather to cooperate, I could work on making it a reality this weekend…  Who’s with me?

Lemon Bars

Ingredients:

for the bottom layer

  • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour*
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 12 tablespoons butter

for the top layer

  • 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour*
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • zest of one lemon
  • powdered sugar, for top

*I’ve successfully made these bars gluten-free by substituting a great gluten-free flour blend like this one for the flour in this recipe.

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line an 8X8″ baking dish with foil; Set aside.
  2. Blend butter, flour, brown sugar and salt until it resembles a corse meal.
  3. Pat firmly into prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.
  4. To prepare the top layer, whisk together eggs, sugar, flour, juice and zest.
  5. Pour over the top of the first layer and return to oven and bake for and additional 25-30 minutes. Loosen around edges, and allow to cool. Cut into squares and sift confectioners’ sugar over the top to serve.

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Comments (25)
  1. 1
    Zoë April 25, 2013 at 1:27 pm

    Lemon bars are my absolute fav and I’m always looking for new recipes! Thanks for sharing, these look delicious 😉

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson April 25, 2013 at 3:16 pm

      Thanks, Zoe! I forgot how much I LOVE lemon bars before making these. I think they’re going to be a new warm-weather staple for me! 🙂

      Reply
  2. 2
    Ashley @ Any Lovely Thing April 25, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    These look great, Jess! Anything lemon is my cup of tea. Except tea. I hate lemons in my tea…hmmm…

    Have a great day!
    Ashley

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson April 25, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      WHAT?! A girl after my own heart. I dislike lemon in my tea, too! 🙂

      Reply
  3. 3
    Katie Meyers / Meyers Styles April 25, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    Jess- you’ve outdone yourself yet again with another tasty dessert! These look beyond delicious & I’ve been looking for any new recipe involving lemon… can’t seem to get enough. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson April 25, 2013 at 3:14 pm

      Oh, thank you Katie! I hope you give these a try. I was SO surprised at just how easy they are. xo

      Reply
  4. 4
    Quinn Cooper April 25, 2013 at 3:37 pm

    Love anything lemon in the last 6 months. Really into lemon curd filled doughnuts. Soo good. Lemon bars are just as good. There is just something about the tartness.
    Lemon cars are also super yummy with a graham cracker crust!
    xo Quinn

    Quinn Cooper Style

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson April 25, 2013 at 4:06 pm

      Amen to the lemon curd donuts, Quinn! Hope you’ll add this recipe to your lemony-repertoire! 🙂

      Reply
  5. 5
    Anita @comfyheaven pillows April 25, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    these look really really delicious, going to try them out. I love anything lemony.

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson April 25, 2013 at 10:33 pm

      I really think you’ll love these, Anita! 🙂

      Reply
  6. 6
    Sadye April 25, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    Is this recipe really as easy to make as it sounds? I’d always imagined lemon bars were complicated concoctions … thanks for showing me I was wrong!

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson April 25, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      Totally easy, Sadye! Super simple ingredients and I swear…it’s as fail-proof as it looks! I hope you’ll give them a try and let me know how they turn out! 🙂

      Reply
  7. 7
    Louisa Blackmore April 26, 2013 at 4:19 am

    Hi Jess

    Thanks for this fab recipe, I’m from England and I’d not heard of Lemon Bars before! I am going to give these a go next week when some friends come to stay.

    Thanks so much,
    Louisa

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson April 26, 2013 at 10:54 am

      How perfect! I hope you & your friends love them! 🙂

      Reply
  8. 8
    Meenakshi April 26, 2013 at 12:47 pm

    Ok I am going to try this real soon! It’s such a simple recipe and requires basic ingredients. The bottom crust looks crunchy and moist and oh-so-yummy 😛

    Reply
    • Jess Simpson April 26, 2013 at 4:21 pm

      You’re right- totally simple & totally yummy! Hope you like it! xo

      Reply
  9. 9
    anita April 27, 2013 at 9:23 am

    Hello Spring! I’m making these this morning……Thanks!

    Reply
  10. 10
    Ali May 2, 2013 at 6:05 pm

    Just made and the these!! Everyone loved them! What a great recipe!

    Reply
  11. 11
    Lucia May 7, 2013 at 11:48 am

    I always been wanting to eat lemon bars, but never did since I thought it was a hasstle to make, nonetheless I came across this recipe and I had to give it a try. I made them last night, so so delicious! Thanks for this easy and quick recipe.

    Reply

Author

Jess Simpson