Classic Lemon Bars Recipe from Love With Recipes
Description:
Delight your taste buds with these classic lemon bars, an irresistible combination of tangy lemon flavor and a sweet, buttery crust. Perfect for sharing, these bars are sure to be a hit at any gathering or a treat for your own family.
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (cold and cut into pieces)
For the Lemon Filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind (zest)
- 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
For Dusting:
- Confectioners’ sugar (for garnish)
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C), ensuring it’s fully heated before placing your bars inside.
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Prepare the Baking Pan: Grease a 13×9-inch baking pan thoroughly to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of your lemon bars once they’re baked.
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Make the Crust:
- In a medium bowl, sift together 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar, 1 1/2 cups of flour, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Using a pastry blender or two forks, cut in 3/4 cup of cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step ensures a crumbly, buttery texture for your crust.
- Evenly press the crumbly mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust layer.
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Bake the Crust:
- Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown. This initial bake will give the crust a firm base for the lemon filling.
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Prepare the Lemon Filling:
- While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a large bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar until well blended.
- Add 1 tablespoon of grated lemon rind and 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice to the egg mixture, mixing thoroughly.
- In a separate bowl, lightly whip 1/2 cup of heavy cream until it forms soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the lemon mixture, creating a smooth and airy filling.
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Assemble and Bake the Bars:
- Once the crust is baked and still warm, pour the lemon filling over the hot crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 40 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles in the center.
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Cool and Cut:
- Allow the lemon bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling step is crucial for the bars to firm up and make cutting easier.
- Once cooled, dust the top with additional confectioners’ sugar for a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.
- Cut into 36 bars and serve. Enjoy the perfect balance of tart lemon flavor and sweet, buttery crust!
Nutrition (per bar):
- Calories: 117.7
- Fat: 6.3g
- Saturated Fat: 3.8g
- Cholesterol: 40.5mg
- Sodium: 69.4mg
- Carbohydrates: 14.4g
- Fiber: 0.1g
- Sugar: 10.1g
- Protein: 1.4g
Enjoy these lemon bars as a delightful dessert that’s both simple to make and beautifully satisfying! Share them with friends and family, or savor them as a special treat just for you. 🍋✨
