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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Nana’s Lemon Bars recipe – a Family Favorite recipe

    LAST UPDATED: April 12, 2020 • FIRST PUBLISHED: April 5, 2020 By Toni Dash 28 Comments

    Nana’s Lemon Bars recipe – a Family Favorite recipe

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Lemon Bars title image

    Lemon Bars are a classic dessert recipe. Shortbread crust topped with tangy, sweet lemon custard are irresistibly good. This easy dessert recipe is straight from my Grandmother’s recipe box!

    Lemon Bars title image

    Lemon Bars are a universal favorite dessert. 

    This easy recipe is a family favorite and will become yours too.

    With some easy tips this lemon bar recipe comes out perfect every time!

    What are Lemon Bars?

    This classic dessert is made with a homemade shortbread crust topped with lemon custard.

    They are topped with a dusting of powdered sugar.

    The crust is buttery and rich. The custard is firm but still a bit gooey in the most pleasing way.

    The flavor combination is perfect any time of the year!

    Lemon Bars come in different proportions of filling and crust.

    My Grandmother’s recipe is almost equal crust and filling.

    Ingredients

    • Unsalted Butter
    • Confectioner’s/Powdered Sugar
    • All-Purpose Flour (regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend)
    • Eggs
    • Baking Powder
    • Granulated Sugar
    • Lemon Juice
    • Lemon Zest

    emon bars ingredients

    Ingredient Notes

    Flour

    Either regular All-Purpose Flour OR gluten-free measure-for-measure flour may be used.

    This recipe has been tested multiple times with both with great results.

    My recommended gluten-free flour blend is Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-to-1 Baking Flour.

    Lemon Juice

    Fresh lemon juice is preferred although you can also use a quality bottled lemon juice (not from concentrate).

    PRO TIP for juicing lemons

    Place the lemon in the microwave for 10 seconds before juicing it for more juice.

    I recommend a handheld lemon juicer.

    • Slice the lemon in half across the lemon.
    • Juice half the lemon.
    • Flip the juiced half over and juice again.
    • This squeezed out from juice.

    Lemon Zest

    Lemon zest adds a big lemon flavor to this lemon bar recipe.

    This is my favorite lemon zester. It makes fast and easy work of zesting all citrus fruits.

    fork cutting into a lemon bar from top

    Pro Tips for Making the best Lemon Bars

    Lemon Bars are not difficult to make BUT there are a few key steps.

    These make the difference between a fantastic lemon bar and one that doesn’t turn out so well.

    Use a glass baking dish

    Lemon bars taste best when baked in a glass pan. Do not use a metal pan.

    There can be a chemical reaction between the acid in the lemon juice and the metal (depending on the pan) that affects the flavor.

    Don’t scoop the flour

    Spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level it off.

    Do not scoop the flour as it can lead to using too much flour.

    Do not overbake!

    Custard recipes like cheesecakes come out of the oven with a slight jiggle in the middle.

    If you have not made it before it may look under cooked. It’s not. 

    The cooling steps allow the filling to firm up to the perfect consistency. 

    Watch the color: it should be a light golden color coming out of the oven (refer to the photos).

    If there is a bit of jiggle, don’t worry!

    If lemon bars are baked until they seem firm or crack, they are overdone.

    White bubbles on the surface? No worries!

    The surface of the baked bars looks covered in tiny bubbles (see photo 19 in the recipe steps below).

    This is completely normal! It has to do with a reaction while baking. 

    If your batch has them, don’t worry! The dusting of powdered sugar will cover it.

    side view of lemon bars stacked

    The cooling steps are critical

    Don’t shortcut the time in cooling. This may be the most important step to ensure a great Lemon Bar. 

    The filling needs to firm up before cutting the bars.

    These Lemon Bars need to be cooled at room temperature for 1-2 hours.

    Then placed in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight (recommended).

    Store the Lemon Bars in the refrigerator

    These are a custard bar so must be kept chilled.

    Dust with powdered sugar just before serving

    Wait until serving to dust the top of the bars with powdered sugar for the best appearance and flavor.

    lemon bars with powdered sugar

    How to Make Lemon Bars – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a GLASS 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan by spraying with non-stick spray or greasing with butter (photo 1).

    Making Shortbread Crust

    STEP 2: Sift the flour and powdered sugar into a medium mixing bowl (photos 2-3).

    Lemon Bars recipe steps photos 1-4

    STEP 3: Pour in the melted butter. Mix together with a pastry cutter or dining forks (photos 4-6). 

    Lemon Bars recipe steps - photos 5-8

    STEP 4: Press into the prepared pan to make a crust (photo 7). Bake for 25 minutes until lightly golden in color (photo 8).

    Making the Lemon Filling 

    Start making the filling when the crust is halfway through baking

    STEP 5: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl if a standing mixer) beat together the eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest (photos 9-14).

    Lemon Bars - recipe steps photos 9-12

    STEP 6: Sift in the flour and baking powder (photos 15-16); stir to combine.

    Lemon Bars - recipe steps photos 13-16

    STEP 7: Pour over the warm crust (photos 17-18) and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and fairly set (there may be some jiggle which will firm up during cooling)(photo 19). Begin checking at 12 minutes. DO NOT OVERBAKE.

    Lemon Bars - recipe steps photos 17-20

    STEP 8: Allow the pan to cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Then cover the pan with foil or plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator at least 3 hours (preferably overnight).

    STEP 9: Dust with powdered sugar before serving (photo 20).

    stack of two lemon bars

    How to Store

    In the Refrigerator

    Fully cool and cut the bars. Place them in a single layer in a hard container (not a plastic bag). Layer parchment paper or wax paper between layers. 

    Seal and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

    In the Freezer

    If freezing the bars add the dusting of powdered sugar when they are thawed before serving.

    Fully cool and cut the bars. Place the bars on a baking sheet in a single layer with space in between.

    Place the baking sheet in the freezer for an hour or until the bars are frozen.

    Wrap the bars separately with plastic wrap and put them in a large freezer safe plastic bag. 

    Store up to 3 months.

    This allows them to be eaten one at a time vs. a whole batch.

    Thaw and store in the refrigerator.

    gooey lemon bars

    More Lemon Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

    • Lemon Cheesecake with Lemon Oreos Crust
    • Lemon Cake Mix Cookies
    • Lemon Pound Cake with Blueberry Swirl
    • Luscious Lemon Pie– a No Bake Recipe
    • Sunny Lemon Cupcakes with real Strawberry Frosting
    • Lemon Baked Custard with Sponge Cake Top

    Try these dessert Bar recipes too!

    • Magic Cookie Bars with a Tropical Twist!
    • Blackberry Oatmeal Bars
    • Millionaire’s Shortbread recipe
    • Mermaid Bait Bars
    • Cherry Bars
    • Monster Cookies

    fork cutting into a lemon bar

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    Lemon Bars title image

    Nanas Lemon Bars

    Lemon Bars are an easy classic dessert recipe. Buttery shortbread crust with tangy, sweet gooey lemon filling. Can be made regular or gluten-free.
    5 from 20 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 9 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Cooling (room temperature + chilling): 4 hours
    Total Time: 4 hours 49 minutes
    Servings: 20 squares OR 15 bars
    Calories: 247kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
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    Ingredients

    Shortbread Crust

    • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend)
    • 1/2 cup Confectioner's/Powdered Sugar
    • 1 cup (2 sticks) Unsalted Butter melted

    Lemon Filling

    • 4 Eggs
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • 2 cups Granulated Sugar
    • 1/3 cup Lemon Juice
    • 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour (regular or gluten-free measure-for-measure flour blend)
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Zest

    Dusting on top

    • 1 1/2 tablespoon Confectioner's/Powdered Sugar

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch glass pan with non stick spray or grease with a bit of butter.

    Shortbread Crust

    • In a large bowl, sift together the flour and powdered sugar.
    • Pour in the melted butter and cut it together with a pastry cutter. NOTE: dining forks may also be used. Once the dough has formed, press it into the bottom of the prepared pan.
    • Bake for 25 minutes, until the top is golden in color.

    Lemon Filling + Baking

    • When the crust is about half way through, start to prepare the filling. In a large bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, lemon juice and zest.
    • Sift the flour and baking powder over the egg mixture and stir together to combine.
    • Pour the filling over the warm crust and place it back in the oven for 15-20 minutes ( start checking it at 12 minutes for jiggle and brownness), just until the top starts to turn golden brown and looks set. DO NOT OVERBAKE. It will continue to firm up as it chills.
    • Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
    • Once cooled, place into the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours. Chill overnight if possible.
    • Dust with powdered sugar just before serving. Store in the fridge.

    Video

    Notes

    This recipe has been tested multiple times with each regular All-Purpose flour and gluten-free measure-for-measure flour.

    PRO TIPS for best Lemon Bars

    • Use a glass baking pan.
    • Spoon the flour into a measuring cup and level it off, don’t scoop the flour as it could lead to too much flour.
    • Do not overcook! The bars will be lightly golden and may have a slight jiggle in the center. This will firm up during chilling
    • These bars need to be cooled on the counter top for 1-2 hours and then chilled for another 2-3 hours minimum, best if they can chill overnight.
    • This is a custard bar and must be chilled and stored in the fridge.
    • Dust the powdered sugar right before serving.

    Storing

    Refrigerator: after the bars are fully cooled and cut, store in a hard container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Add parchment or wax paper between layers of bars.
    Freezer: after bars are cooled and cut, place them on a baking sheet with space in between in the freezer. Freeze for an hour. Wrap the bars individually in plastic wrap and place in a larger plastic freezer bag. Store up to 3 months. Thaw and store in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 58mg | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 343IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Jenna says

      April 17, 2021 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      My dad, a lemon bar fanatic, says these are the best he has ever had. Perfect ratio of lemon to crust! Thank you!

      Reply
      • Toni Dash says

        April 18, 2021 at 7:46 am

        This makes me so happy! Thanks for leaving your comment. I love that this recipe from my Grandmother’s recipe box is getting a second life and bringing joy to people.

        Reply
    2. Sandra says

      April 09, 2020 at 3:32 pm

      5 stars
      My kid can’t stop asking for it!! So good and delicious!

      Reply
    3. Katie says

      April 09, 2020 at 12:47 pm

      5 stars
      Love this recipe! Such a classic and perfect for a summer bbq!

      Reply
    4. Sam says

      April 08, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      Love these types of family recipes that are from our family members. This lemon bard was just so delicious. No wonder it stood the test of time.
      Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. wilhelmina wessel says

      April 07, 2020 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      It’s just not Spring until I have made my first batch of lemon bars! This was great recipe, like baking up bars of sunshine!

      Reply
    6. Celebrate Woman Today says

      April 07, 2020 at 11:10 am

      Toni,
      I love the look of these luscious bars. I had a few recipes I tried in my life, but none really resonated.
      Time to test out your delicious recipe.

      Reply
    7. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      April 07, 2020 at 8:23 am

      5 stars
      These Lemon Bars are sound delicious! Dangerously good…

      Reply
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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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