Lemon Squares

Spring is in the air. Well, spring mixed with a dash of winter. I’m hoping to encourage warmer weather with these zippy lemon bars. They are a classic (especially at potlucks) and for good reason. They have tang, sweetness, and a buttery crust that will make your taste buds happy. And we like to keep those taste buds happy, don’t we? 🙂

Lemon Squares

Recipe Type: Dessert

Author: Melissa @ Spoonful of Sugar

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 50 mins

Total time: 1 hour 5 mins

Serves: 9-16 bars

The tart flavor of these bars will put a smile on your face and a spring in your step!

Ingredients

Crust
1 1/2 AP Flour
3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Lemon Layer
3 eggs
1/2 cup lemon juice (about 3 large lemons)
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons AP flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting on the top of baked bars

Instructions

Crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8″ baking pan (see note below) with foil and spray with cooking spray.
Pulse the flour, butter, and powdered sugar in a food processor until the mixture comes together in clumps. (If you don’t have a food processor, use either a pastry cutter or a hand mixer.)
Press the mixture into your prepared pan and bake in a preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool a bit while you prepare your lemon layer.

Lemon Layer

Whisk together the eggs, lemon juice, lemon zest, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt until combined.
Pour the lemon mixture over the slightly cooled crust and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let the bars sit for a few minutes in the pan before lifting the foil out and cooling on a wire rack for an hour. I like to place my bars in the fridge to chill a bit before slicing into squares.
Dust with powdered sugar before serving. Store bars in the fridge.

Notes

Using an 8×8″ pan will create a taller lemon square. If you prefer a flatter bar, use a larger pan and adjust your bake time down.