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Home » Desserts » Cookies & Bars » Easy Lemon Squares

Easy Lemon Squares

By: Rosemary Published: November 12, 2021 Updated on: November 14, 2021

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Easy Lemon Squares, these tangy squares are quick, easy and so delicious, made with a buttery shortbread base and a fresh lemon filling. Easy and tasty bars. They are a definite must bake this Holiday Season!

Lemon bars cut on a wire rack.

This recipe for Lemon Squares was given to me by my amazing cousin, who I can’t wait to see again (soon!!) and I think they would be great to make for all the lemon-loving dessert people out there.

My mother loved baking with lemons, from Lemon Bread to Lemon Cake it seems we can never get enough. In Italy there is a never-ending abundance of lemons, everyone has a lemon tree or two or three.

Funny thing is, my husband and I plant and plant lemon trees and the trees look beautiful, but no lemons. Very strange. But that doesn’t keep us from trying.

When we first arrived in Italy, one week after our wedding, we lived in a beautiful house that belonged to my brother-in-law. And we planted, yup you guessed it, our first lemon tree, and of course we never saw not even one lemon.

Eight  years later we moved into our own home, and that lovely lemon tree started to produce and I mean produce tons of lemons! Lucky for them!

So here we are, 9 years later with a few nice green trees and unfortunately still no lemons. Maybe it is time to think about moving again… Thank goodness everyone we know has lemon producing trees.

Lemon squares on a wire rack with one on top.

Table of Contents

  • Ingredients for the Recipe
      • For the Filling
  • How to make Lemon Squares
      • Never Miss a Recipe!
  • How to know when Lemon Bars are done
  • Tips for making the Best Lemon Bars
  • FAQs
  • More delicious Lemon Recipes
  • Easy Lemon Squares
    • Ingredients US CustomaryMetric 1x2x3x
      • SHORTBREAD BASE
      • * I always use salted butter, if you use unsalted then increase the salt to 1/4 teaspoon.
      • LEMON FILLING
    • Instructions 
      • SHORTBREAD BASE
      • LEMON FILLING
    • Notes
    • Nutrition

Ingredients for the Recipe

  • Butter – softened butter
  • Sugar – powdered/icing sugar
  • Flour – all purpose flour
  • Salt – if you use unsalted butter then add a bit more salt

For the Filling

  • Eggs
  • Sugar – granulated sugar
  • Baking Powder
  • Lemon Juice – be sure to use fresh lemons and not bottled
  • Salt
  • Lemon Zest

How to make Lemon Squares

In a medium bowl, beat on medium speed the butter and powdered sugar until combined. Add the flour and beat again until a soft dough forms.

Pat evenly onto the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

lemon squares how to make ingredients in a bowl for base, mixed, and in a pan to be baked

Bake for about 20 minutes, remove from the oven.

lemon squares how to make the baked base, the ingredients for the lemon filling and the lemon filling made

In a medium bowl, beat together, the eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, fresh lemon juice and pinch of salt. Pour over the baked crust and return to the oven and bake until the centre is set. Cool in the pan.

lemon squares how to make ready to bake and baked
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    Cut when the bars are completely cooled.

    Bars cut on a wire rack.

    How to know when Lemon Bars are done

    You know when Lemon Bars are done when you gently shake the pan and the filling is set and no longer jiggles. Be sure to let the squares completely cool before cutting. They need to set up, so don’t rush this step.

    I like to let them cool at room temperature for about an hour then refrigerate for about 1-2 hours before cutting.

    Tips for making the Best Lemon Bars

    • Be sure to use fresh lemons, you want the best tasting bars since it’s all about the lemons!
    • For easier removal line your baking pan with parchment paper.
    • Be sure to bake the crust before adding the filling.
    • You may want to refrigerate them before cutting, it makes it easier to cut into clean even squares.
    • Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
    Lemon bar on top of another.

    FAQs

    How to store Lemon Bars

    They should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge, although they can be left out for a few hours while they are being served. They will last up to 4 days in the fridge.

    How to freeze them.

    Lemon Squares can also be frozen, place the completely cooled cookies, on a cookie sheet, freeze for 1 hour then transfer to a freezer safe container, place parchment paper between the layers, they will keep for up to 3-4 months in the freezer. Be sure to thaw the frozen cookies in the fridge before serving. If you do freeze them, don’t dust with powdered sugar, that can be added before serving.

    Why are my bars runny?

    If they are too runny or jiggle too much, it’s because they have not been baked for enough time. Be sure to bake the bottom crust for the time stated that will help too.

    These Lemon Bars are perfect as a dessert or even an afternoon snack, amazing with a cup of tea or serve to family or guests. Enjoy!

    Up close lemon bar.

    More delicious Lemon Recipes

    • Lemon Cupcakes
    • Italian Lemon Cookies
    • Italian Fresh Cream Lemon Cake
    • Lemon Shortbread Cookies
    Lemon bar on top of another.

    Easy Lemon Squares

    Rosemary Molloy
    Easy Lemon Squares, these tangy squares are quick, easy and so delicious, made with a buttery shortbread base and a fresh lemon filling.  
    4.96 from 168 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 45 mins
    Total Time 1 hr
    Course Desserts
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 squares
    Calories 144 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    SHORTBREAD BASE

    • ½ cup butter* (softened)
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar
    • 1 cup flour
    • 1 pinch salt

    * I always use salted butter, if you use unsalted then increase the salt to 1/4 teaspoon.

      LEMON FILLING

      • 2 large eggs
      • 1 cup granulated sugar
      • ½ teaspoon baking powder
      • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
      • 1 pinch salt
      • zest of 1/2-1 lemon (1/2 – 1 tablespoon)

      Instructions
       

      • Pre-heat oven to 350F (180C). Lightly grease and flour an 8×8 inch (20x20cm) square cake pan or line with parchment paper.

      SHORTBREAD BASE

      • In a medium bowl, beat on medium speed the butter and powdered sugar until combined then add the flour and beat again until a soft dough forms (approximately 1 1/2 minutes). Pat evenly onto the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Bake 18-20 minutes. Remove from oven, but leave oven on.

      LEMON FILLING

      • Meanwhile in a medium bowl, beat together, the eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, fresh lemon juice, pinch of salt and zest. Pour over warm baked base and return to the oven for 20-25 minutes (until the centre is set, I baked mine for 25 minutes, may need to go a bit longer), Cool in the pan, I recommend that you also chill in the fridge for 1 hour for easier cutting, cut into squares, remove from pan, dust with powdered sugar and serve. Enjoy!

      Notes

      You may want to refrigerate the Lemon Bars before cutting as it makes cutting the squares easier.
      You know when Lemon Bars are done when you gently shake the pan and the filling is set and no longer jiggles. 
      Store the cooled baked bars in an airtight container in the fridge, although they can be left out for a few hours while they are being served. They will last up to 4 days in the fridge.
      Lemon Squares can also be frozen, place the completely cooled cookies, on a cookie sheet, freeze for 1 hour then transfer to a freezer safe container, place parchment paper between the layers, they will keep for up to 3-4 months in the freezer.
      Be sure to thaw the frozen cookies in the fridge before serving. If you do freeze them, don’t dust with powdered sugar first, that can be added before serving.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 144kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 64mgPotassium: 31mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 205IUVitamin C: 1.1mgCalcium: 11mgIron: 0.5mg
      Keyword easy lemon squares, lemon bars, lemon squares
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

      Updated from May 9, 2014.

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        1. Tami says

          December 28, 2022 at 3:55 pm

          5 stars
          These were delicious!! Would I just double everything if I want to make a batch in a 9 X 13 pan?

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            December 28, 2022 at 4:59 pm

            Hi Tami, thanks so much, yes that would work. Happy New Year!

            Reply
        2. Olivia says

          December 22, 2022 at 4:47 am

          Tried this recipe and the filling seemed to seep into the crust? Are you supposed to let the crust cool before you pour the filling in/on to then bake? Thank you!

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            December 22, 2022 at 8:15 am

            Hi Olivia, the base is pre-baked for 20 minutes, so it really shouldn’t seep into it. The recipe does instruct to pour on the warm base, so it should cool down a bit straight from the oven. Hope that helps. Let me know. Take care!

            Reply
        3. Christine says

          November 21, 2022 at 3:39 am

          I’m wondering where this recipe actually came from because it is the same as the recipe passed down to me from my Grandma.

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            November 24, 2022 at 4:42 pm

            Hi Christine, this recipe was given to me by my cousin. 🙂

            Reply
        4. Glynis says

          October 30, 2022 at 2:02 am

          5 stars
          OMG this is soooo delicious , it came out just like your photos, will definitely make it again !

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            November 1, 2022 at 4:46 pm

            Hi Glynis, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Take care!

            Reply
        5. Diane says

          October 13, 2022 at 10:48 pm

          5 stars
          Made these today delicious! Thankyou for the recipe.

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            October 14, 2022 at 10:59 pm

            Hi Diane, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Have a great weekend.

            Reply
        6. Nooshin says

          September 14, 2022 at 6:02 pm

          5 stars
          Hi dear Rosemary ,
          Hope you are doing well and in great health and thank you so much for sharing this lemon bar recipe . I really enjoyed it a lot, especially the shortbread is really delicious, crispy and perfect . My mom doesn’t eat all kinds of sweets and desserts, but she liked this very much . I will be making double this recipe from now on . Many thanks .

          Reply
          • Rosemary says

            September 15, 2022 at 8:17 pm

            Hi Nooshin, thanks so much so glad you and your Mom enjoyed the bars. I hope you are well also! Take care.

            Reply
            • Nooshin says

              September 16, 2022 at 9:44 am

              Thanks for your answer , but my sister asks if she can use marmalade instead of lemon filling. Thank you for letting me know.

            • Rosemary says

              September 16, 2022 at 3:42 pm

              Hi Nooshin, I don’t know how that would work. The marmalade would probably burn if you baked it with the crust, so i guess you could spread it on after you baked the base. 🙂

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        Hi, I'm Rosemary.

        Living in Italy I learned to cook authentic Italian dishes using whole ingredients, fresh veggies and delicious spices. So take a seat and have a taste! Read More

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