Citrus fruits are often on sale at our grocery stores during the winter months, so I regularly buy bags full of lemons and oranges this time of year. Of course, the kids love eating the oranges… but the lemons are almost always for baking!
Although I love tangy lemon desserts, I haven’t shared any on my blog in many years! In fact, the last lemon dessert recipes I shared were way back in 2010… one for Lemon Pound Cake and one for Pecan Lemon Bars (both of which are super yummy!)
So today, after an almost 8-year lemon hiatus (on the blog, not in my real life), I’m back with a super delicious recipe for Lemon Squares.
They are the perfect dessert for almost any meal, with just the right balance of sweet and “sour” — and something just a bit different than the more traditional chocolatey desserts I usually serve!
Oh, and if you’re looking for another way to use up your lemons (or your lemon rinds), try cleaning with them!
Recipe for Lemon Squares
makes one 9″ x 13″ pan of bars
INGREDIENTS:
For the crust:
- 1 c. room-temperature butter (2 sticks)
- 1/2 c. granulated sugar
- 2 c. all-purpose flour
- pinch of salt
For the filling:
- 3 cups sugar
- 6 large eggs
- zest from 1 lemon
- 1 c. lemon juice
- 1/2 c. flour
- powdered sugar (for dusting on the top)
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9″ x 13″ baking dish and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix butter and sugar until combined. Add in flour and salt and mix until a crumbly mixture forms.
Press crust mixture into the bottom of the greased pan.
Bake crust in preheated oven for 15 minutes.
While crust bakes, mix together all filling ingredients (except powdered sugar).
Pour lemon filling over hot crust and return pan to oven for 25 minutes, or until lemon mixture is set.
Let the bars cool to room temperature before generously dusting with powdered sugar.
Cover and refrigerate for 3-4 hours before cutting into bars and serving (they really are MUCH better cold).
NOTE: The bars will most likely look really white and cakey when they come out of the oven (see photo below). After refrigerating for several hours, they will look yellow and gooey!
Although these bars are far from healthy, they do taste quite light and refreshing. They can also be cut into fairly small squares, so one batch will serve a crowd.
My kids would still prefer a plain chocolate chip cookie, but Dave and I (and our dinner guests) certainly enjoyed these lemon bars last week!
What are your favorite lemon desserts?
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Maria says
Hi Andrea. This recipe looks great. Can you substitute lemon concentrate for real lemon juice?
Thank so much!
Andrea says
I guess I’m not exactly sure what Lemon concentrate is, but I’m pretty sure it should work. Maybe just use less since it’s “concentrated”
mara says
I really want to make these, thanks for the recipe!
Andrea says
make them!! and you’re welcome!
Carole says
These bars are so yummy! A couple years ago my daughter made them but added a cream cheese frosting instead of the powdered sugar topping. It brings them to a whole new level and not as messy to eat.
Andrea says
oh wow — that does sound yummy ( but I’m a sucker for cream cheese frosting! )
Trina says
These look tasty! Will you be adding to your virtual recipe box?
Andrea says
yes, all my recipes eventually end up there 🙂
Meghan says
These look amazing! I love lemon bars, but no one in my family likes them. Hmm, I need an event to take these to. . .
Annette Silveira says
Sooooo making these as well as the chocolate pies I have planned for my husband’s birthday dinner this weekend. Thanks!
Andrea says
sounds delicious!!
Kimberley says
I love lemon bars! I am not a big fan of chocolate so anything that has a citrus flavor is fine by me!
Quick question: Where did you get that adorable lemon juicer (shown in the picture)?
Andrea says
I’ve had that lemon/lime juicer for years… I’m sure I got it at a garage sale or second hand sale. It doesn’t have a brand on it — but it IS cute 🙂
JJ says
You have no idea how this picture is making me crave these, haha! All 3 kids have dairy allergies, and my husband doesn’t like lemony desserts. If I made these, I’d eat them all in one sitting. Yummmm!!!! I made some for a baby shower and for a thank you gift. These look aMaZiNg!
Andrea says
haha — you could always make a half batch and maybe give some away 🙂