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Soft lemon squares dusted with powdered sugar on a marble surface with fresh lemon slices and a buttery crust visible in each creamy layer

Soft Lemon Squares

These soft lemon squares have a buttery shortbread crust and a smooth, tangy lemon topping made with fresh lemon juice and zest. They bake into clean, bright dessert bars that are simple to prepare and perfect for making ahead.
Recipe Developer-Estefania
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Additional time2 hours
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

  • 225 g all-purpose flour
  • 85 g brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 120 g unsalted butter melted

Lemon Topping

  • 3 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 200 g granulated sugar
  • 25 g all-purpose flour
  • 200 ml fresh lemon juice
  • 4 large eggs room temperature
  • Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 374°F (190°C). Line an 8x8-inch (20x20 cm) baking pan with parchment paper.  
  • In a bowl, combine 1 ¾ cups (225 g) all-purpose flour, ⅓ cup (85 g) brown sugar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ cup (120 g) melted butter. Mix until fine crumbs form.  
  • Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and let cool slightly.  
  • In a bowl, whisk 3 tablespoons lemon zest, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, and 3 tablespoons (25 g) flour. In another bowl, whisk 4 eggs with ¾ cup + 1 tablespoon (200 ml) fresh lemon juice.  
  • Strain the egg mixture into the sugar mixture and whisk until smooth. Pour over the warm crust.  
  • Bake at 335°F (170°C) for 15 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles.
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate for 2 hours. Dust with powdered sugar, slice into squares, and serve. 

Notes

Use Fresh Lemon Juice: I always use fresh juice here because it gives the lemon topping a brighter, cleaner flavor.  
Bake Until Just Set: Remove the pan when the center no longer jiggles; I find this keeps the filling smooth instead of rubbery.  
Storage: I keep the squares covered in the fridge for up to 3 days because they slice cleaner and taste even better chilled. 

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 56mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 248IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg