Nani's Zesty Lemon Bars

Name: Nani's Zesty Lemon Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1/2 cup white sugar; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 4 large eggs; 2 cups white sugar; 6 tablespoons all purpose flour; 1 cup fresh lemon juice; Powdered sugar for dusting

These bars are the perfect balance of buttery shortbread and a bright, tart lemon filling.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· September 3, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

40 minutes

Total

55 minutes

Serves

There is something so special about a classic lemon bar. These are my absolute favorite because they actually taste like fresh lemons rather than just sugar. They are the perfect treat to bring to a picnic or to keep in the fridge for when you need a little afternoon pick me up.

My secret for the best results is to use fresh squeezed lemon juice instead of the bottled kind. It makes a world of difference in the flavor. Be sure to let them cool completely before you try to cut them so the filling sets up nice and firm.

🧺 Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 large eggs
2 cups white sugar
6 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 cup fresh lemon juice
Powdered sugar for dusting

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking pan.
2
In a medium bowl, cream together the softened butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 cups flour, and salt until it forms a soft dough.
3
Press this dough firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden.
4
While the crust bakes, whisk together the eggs, 2 cups sugar, 6 tablespoons flour, and lemon juice in a large bowl until smooth.
5
Pour the lemon mixture over the hot crust as soon as you pull it out of the oven.
6
Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 20 minutes or until the center is set.
7
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
8
Dust the top generously with powdered sugar before cutting into squares to serve.

💡 Tips

Store these bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the filling fresh. They taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to settle. You can also freeze them for up to three months if you want to save some for later.

#dessert #lemon #vegetarian #baked goods

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