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+ servings
Lemon bars made from scratch on a plate
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Lemon Bars

This deliciously easy lemon squares recipe is the most perfect combination of chewy cookie and creamy citrus - they will melt in your mouth!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 24 squares
Calories 253kcal

Ingredients

Cookie Crust

Cookie Crumble

Lemon Filling

  • 1 1/4 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
  • 4 teaspoons water
  • 3 egg(s) large, slightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 13 teaspoons lemon juice a little over 1/2 cup
  • 18 T unsalted butter 2 sticks + 2T, softened to room temp

Instructions

Cookie Crust

  • Line bottom and sides of baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Add butter, sugar, and salt to mixing bowl. Cream with mixer on low until combined and lightened.
  • Press dough evenly into a layer in baking pan. Refrigerate 1 hour.
  • While dough is chilling (or after dough has chilled 30 min), continue with recipe. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • When dough is chilled, prick several times with a fork. Bake 30 - 35 min or until light brown in color. Set aside to cool.

Cookie Crumble

  • Add butter, shortening, and sugar to bowl. Cream with mixer on low until combined and lightened, scraping bowl as needed. Add honey, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix to combine.
  • Stop mixer; add flour. Mix until pea-size crumbles form.
  • Spread evenly on separate baking sheet. Bake 8 - 10 min or until brown. Let cool. Break apart if necessary.

Lemon Filling

  • Sprinkle gelatin over water in a small bowl. Set aside.
  • Stir together eggs, sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice in top of double boiler. Heat to 170 degrees on MEDIUM, stirring occasionally, about 8 min. Stir in softened gelatin. Remove pan from stovetop; let mixture cool to 130 degrees.
  • Place lemon cream mixture in a separate bowl. Mix in butter with mixer on low. Pour lemon cream mixture over cookie base; sprinkle crumble evenly on top.
  • Cover; chill approximately 3 hours. Once cooled, cut into bars (makes approximately 24 squares).

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 253kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 72mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 507IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg