Easy Lemon Squares
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!
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.
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.
Bake for about 20 minutes, remove from the oven. Let cool.
In a medium bowl, beat together, the eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, fresh lemon juice and pinch of salt. Pour over the baked cooled crust and return to the oven and bake until the centre is set. Cool in the pan.
Cut when the bars are completely cooled.
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.
- Be sure to cool the semi baked 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.
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.
More delicious Lemon Recipes
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!
Easy Lemon Squares
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 ½-1 lemon (½ – 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 it on, let the crust cool before adding the filling.
LEMON FILLING
- Meanwhile in a medium bowl, beat together, the eggs, granulated sugar, baking powder, fresh lemon juice, pinch of salt and zest. If you are worried about the filling sinking to the bottom then add 3-4 tablespoons of all purpose flour.
- Pour over the cooled crust (not hot) baked crust 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
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.How to store lemon bars
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
Updated from May 9, 2014.
these were so good the crust was really yummy tasting and the feeling was tart a delicious. I got tons of compliments on this and easy to do will definitely be making us again.
Hi Cindy, thanks so much, so glad everyone enjoyed them. Take care!
Serving size question:
The recipe says it makes 16 squares, but the pictures make it look like it only does 9? Also, the squares would be pretty small if following the 8×8” pan. Is the 16 squares a mistake? I don’t want my crust to be super thick.
Hi Danielle, the pan is correct, I just cut them in to small pieces because lemon bars are quite sweet. I only have 9 in the photo because it’s a small wire rack and only 9 would fit. You could cut them into 12 squares if you prefer. Hope that helps. Take care!
These were yummy! I’ve always bought the box mix never tried from scratch. Only problem I had was I tried to double the recipe but the dough on the bottom was a little too thick it never firmed up even after I baked it an additional 5 minutes. I think it will be fine after it is refrigerated a while though.
Hi Amy if you used a bigger pan it shouldn’t have been much thicker. Let me know.
They did not work so well for me. I’m a first timer so I will try again. I feel there wasn’t enough lemon and I cooked them 22 minutes and they were overcooked.
Hi Cathy, try using a smaller pan and all oven are different. Take care!
Divine! One of the best I tried. So easy too
Hi Rox, thanks so much, so glad you liked them. Take care!
I just made this today 4/3/2023. It is the easiest thing to make and tastes absolutely gorgeous
Hi Wendy, thanks so much, so glad you like it. Take care and have a wonderful Sunday!
Can this be done without the lemon zest?
Hi Melissa, yes it can, you might want to add a bit more lemon juice though, another 1/2 tablespoon. Hope that helps. Take care!
My family loved these, but they are super sweet, wonder if they woud turnout the same if i cut back on the sugar a little bit, also had to cook them for about 35 min, double batch.
Hi Anita, yes unfortunately lemon squares are super sweet. I think you could although I am wondering if it would set, try with 1/4 cup less if you want to try it. Let me know how it goes. Take care!
These lemon bars are superb! My husband who isn’t a big lemon fan, LOVES these. I’m thinking about making it in a sheet pan; do you think the baking time and everything would be the same? I’m guessing I’d have to make 4× the recipe to fill a sheet pan
Hi Sara, thanks so much, so glad you both enjoyed them. I think the baking time would be the same. Take care and have a great weekend!
These were delicious!! Would I just double everything if I want to make a batch in a 9 X 13 pan?
Hi Tami, thanks so much, yes that would work. Happy New Year!
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!
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!
I’m wondering where this recipe actually came from because it is the same as the recipe passed down to me from my Grandma.
Hi Christine, this recipe was given to me by my cousin. 🙂
OMG this is soooo delicious , it came out just like your photos, will definitely make it again !
Hi Glynis, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Take care!
Made these today delicious! Thankyou for the recipe.
Hi Diane, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed them. Have a great weekend.
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 .
Hi Nooshin, thanks so much so glad you and your Mom enjoyed the bars. I hope you are well also! Take care.
Thanks for your answer , but my sister asks if she can use marmalade instead of lemon filling. Thank you for letting me know.
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. 🙂