Lemon Squares with a buttery melt-in-your-mouth shortbread crust. These lemon bars have a tangy lemon filling for a delicious treat! Lemon squares are super simple to whip up and taste amazing! With a fresh lemony filling, they’re the perfect treat. Easy to make and full of flavor, they’re a must-try for the holidays!
Lemon Bars Recipe
A zesty lemon bar featuring a crisp, buttery shortbread base similar to my millionaire's shortbread crust and a luxuriously smooth, sweet-tart lemon filling. It's like a burst of summer sunshine in every bite! Made with a vibrant, tangy lemon filling, these lemon squares will make your holidays even better.
If you're craving recipes for dessert with lemon, look no further, as this recipe promises to delight you with its refreshing citrus flavor and decadent texture.
You might also like Lemon Fudge and Almon Nougat Bar.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Lemon Squares
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner bakers.
- Bright, Refreshing Flavor: The combination of fresh lemon zest and juice creates a bright, tangy flavor that is both refreshing and satisfying.
- Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare these lemon dessert squares ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
🧾Lemon Squares Ingredients
Here is a list of everything you need.
For the Shortbread Crust:
- Plain Flour: Provides the base structure for the crust. It contributes to the crumbly texture and helps bind the ingredients together. You can substitute plain flour with whole wheat flour for a nuttier flavor and added fiber. You can also use gluten-free flour blends if you need to avoid gluten.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and moisture to the crust. It also contributes to the golden color and slightly caramelized flavor. White granulated sugar can be used as a substitute for brown sugar.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the crust by balancing the sweetness.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the crust. It also helps bind the dry ingredients together, resulting in a tender and buttery texture. You can substitute butter with an equal amount of margarine for a dairy-free option.
For the Lemon Topping:
- Lemon Zest: Provides intense lemon flavor and aroma to the topping. It adds brightness and freshness to the dessert.
- Sugar: Sweetens the lemon topping and balances the tartness of the lemon juice. It also helps create a smooth texture in the filling. You can use alternative sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar instead of white granulated sugar.
- Flour: Acts as a thickening agent for the lemon topping, helping it set properly during baking. It also contributes to the structure and stability of the dessert. Cornstarch or arrowroot powder can be used instead of flour to thicken the lemon topping. Use the same amount as specified in the recipe.
- Lemon Juice: Provides the tart and tangy flavor that is characteristic of lemon desserts. It adds acidity and freshness to the filling.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the structure and texture of the lemon topping. They also help create a smooth and creamy consistency.
- Icing Sugar: Used for dusting the top of the dessert squares, adding a sweet and decorative finish. If you don't have icing sugar for dusting, you can skip this step altogether.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Lemon Squares
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
How to Prepare the Shortbread Crust:
1. Sieve the all-purpose flour into a bowl and combine brown sugar, salt, and melted butter, blending until you achieve a crumbly texture.
2. Transfer the mixture into a baking pan measuring 20x20 cm (8x8 inches) lined with parchment paper, and evenly flatten the mixture into a smooth layer using the bottom of a glass.
3. Bake in the preheated oven at 190°C (374°F) for approximately 15 minutes, or until it turns a light golden brown, then take it out of the oven and allow it to cool down a little.
4. Combine lemon zest, sugar, and flour in a mixing bowl, whisking thoroughly to blend.
5. In a separate mixing bowl, combine eggs and lemon juice, whisking until thoroughly incorporated.
6. Strain the egg mixture into the bowl containing the sugar, flour, and zest. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
7. Drizzle the lemon topping mixture evenly over the warm crust.
8. Bake at 170°C (338°F) for approximately 15 minutes, or until the lemon topping sets and no longer wobbles when gently shaken.
9. Take it out of the oven and let it cool entirely in the pan on a wire rack before transferring to the refrigerator to chill for two hours.
10. Sprinkle the top of the lemon dessert squares with a light dusting of icing sugar. Slice the dessert into squares, and enjoy these delightful lemon treats!
📖Variations
- Meyer Lemon Bars: Use Meyer lemons instead of regular lemons for a sweeter, more floral flavor. Meyer lemons are slightly less acidic and have a unique citrusy aroma.
- Blueberry Lemon Bars: Scatter fresh or frozen blueberries over the lemon topping before baking. The combination of sweet blueberries and tangy lemon is delightful.
- Raspberry Lemon Bars: Swirl raspberry preserves into the lemon topping before baking for a beautiful marbled effect. The sweet-tart combination of raspberries and lemon is irresistible.
🍽 How to Serve
- As a Dessert: Lemon Dessert Squares can be served as a standalone dessert after a delicious meal like Lemon Pepper Chicken and Chicken Pot Pie.
- For Brunch: Serve Lemon Dessert Squares as part of a brunch spread alongside other sweet and savory dishes like Mini Lemon cheesecakes, and Chicken Skewers (Pinchitos de Pollo).
- As a Snack: Lemon Dessert Squares can also be enjoyed as a sweet snack. Pack them in lunch boxes with Pasta Salad and Tuna Croquettes or take them on picnics with Chicken Croquettes, and Spanish Tortilla for a delicious treat on the go.
- As a Dessert Bar: Set up a dessert bar with a variety of desserts like Basque Cheesecake, Chocolate Cheesecake, and Strawberry Tiramisu Cake, including Lemon Dessert Squares. Allow guests to help themselves with their desired treats.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Use Fresh Lemons: For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest. Avoid bottled lemon juice.
Allow to Cool Completely: Allow the lemon squares to cool completely in the pan before slicing. This allows the filling to set properly and makes for easier slicing.
Chill Before Serving: For cleaner slices, chill the lemon squares in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving. This also enhances the flavors and makes them even more refreshing.
Dust with Icing Sugar Just Before Serving: Dust the top of the lemon squares with icing sugar just before serving to add a beautiful finishing touch.
❓FAQ
Absolutely! You can experiment with different citrus fruits to create your own unique flavor variations. Just keep in mind that the tartness and sweetness levels may vary depending on the fruit you choose.
To keep your lemon dessert squares fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several days. If you need to store them for longer, you can freeze them. Just make sure to thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
🍛More Dessert Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dessert recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Lemon Squares
Ingredients
For the Shortbread Crust:
- 225 g Plain Flour
- 85 g Brown Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 120 g Butter
For the Lemon Topping:
- 3 tablespoon Lemon Zest
- 200 g Sugar
- 25 g Flour
- 200 ml Lemon Juice
- 4 Eggs
- Icing Sugar
Instructions
How to Prepare the Shortbread Crust:
- In a mixing bowl, sift the plain flour.
- Add brown sugar, salt and melted butter to the plain flour and mix well until fine crumbs form.
- Pour the mixture into a 20x20 cm (8x8 inch) baking pan lined with parchment paper.
- Use the bottom of a glass to press the mixture down evenly into a flat layer.
- Bake the crust in the preheated oven at 190°C (374°F) for about 15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.
- Once the crust is baked, remove the tin from the oven and let cool slightly.
How to Prepare the Lemon Topping:
- In a mixing bowl, add lemon zest, sugar and flour and whisk well to combine.
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice. Set aside.
- In another mixing bowl, add eggs and lemon juice, and whisk until well combined.
- Sieve the egg mixture into a bowl with the sugar, flour and zest. Whisk to combine and smooth.
- Pour the lemon topping mixture over the warm crust.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake at 170°C (338°F) for 15 minutes, or until the lemon topping is set and no longer jiggles when gently shaken.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before chilling in the refrigerator for two hours.
- Once cooled, dust the top of the lemon dessert squares with icing sugar.
- Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy these lemon dessert squares!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
I love how the powdered sugar on these lemon squares looks like a light dusting of snow. Such a pretty and delicious treat!