Lemon Bars
These Lemon Bars are loaded with fresh and zesty lemon flavor. People always ask for the recipe!
If I had to choose a handful of recipes that my family, friends, and co-workers associate me with, these snappy Lemon Bars with the perfect shortbread cookie crust would be a top contender. They have been requested over and over again. And they’ve also been a huge bargaining tool for me. It seems like all I have to do is mention “lemon bars”, and people will magically do as I wish. (I’m quite serious about that!)
I’ve gone through a fair amount of recipes for lemon bars in my life. It seemed like they were all just a bit off in some category – some were just plain eggy and didn’t taste like lemon at all, while others were all crust or a sloppy mess when you tried to cut them. I was left disappointed so many times.
Until I came across Paula Deen’s recipe…
Paula got it right. Except that I might like my lemon bars just a tad more tangy tart than the average, so I added a bit more lemon zest. But by the raves I hear when one takes a bite, I’ve come to realize that serious lemon bar lovers crave that extra liveliness just as much as I do.
If you haven’t yet found that perfect lemon bar recipe you’ve been searching for, and if tangy tart makes your mouth water with delight, I promise you…this will end your longing.
Yield: 24 large or 48 small bars Cook Time:15 to 20 minutes Calories per serving: 129 additional powdered sugar for dusting Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9″ x 13″ pan with cooking spray and set aside. To make the crust, combine the butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix with a large spoon or your fingers until well combined. Shape dough into a ball and then pat evenly into your prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until set and just beginning to turn color. Prepare the lemon filling while the crust is baking. With an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour mixture over the baked crust and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Although you don’t want to overbake, you don’t want to underbake either, as the lemon filling will not set up properly. My oven bakes a bit on the light side, and I always bake this for 35 minutes. If you find yours not set up enough the first time around, don’t give up on this recipe. Give it another try and increase the baking time. It will work! Let cool completely, then sift additional powdered sugar over the top. These keep very well on the kitchen counter for a few days, although I do prefer eating them with a slight chill. So I like to store some in the refrigerator and pull them out about 10 minutes before serving. They also freeze well. adapted from Paula Deen & Friends – Living It Up, Southern StyleLemon Bars
Ingredients:
for the crust:
for the lemon filling:
Directions:
I’m linking up with the following:
Cheryl at TidyMom for I’m Lovin’ It (graduation party ideas)
Allison at Alli ‘n Son for Sweet Tooth Friday (Peanut Butter Cup Caramel Bars)
Robyn at Add a Pinch for Mingle Monday (Cooking Conversion Charts)
Rachel at A Southern Fairytale for Mouthwatering Monday (Chocolate Frosting)
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Hahaha! I’m looking capable and qualified with my beautiful lemon squares. I’ve used this recipe time and time again. I have found that for me, using Meyer lemons isn’t a good idea. They added additional sweetness and didn’t give me the punch of lemon flavor that regular lemons did.
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First of all….I wonder if the 4 or t people who say these turned out “horrible” actually believe that it had ANYTHING AT ALL to do with your recipe?!?! I mean come on….really?!?! It just cracks me up that they can’t read the 100’s of other comments saying how amazing and great this recipe is and then read the 4 or 5 comments saying it’s horrible and think,” yep….its totally the recipe that screwed these up AND I’m going to tell her so!!!” hahahaha!!! Omg I’m dying!! Hahaha!! Anyway, I literally have probably made 20 different lemon bars from 20 different recipes and these were the best by far!! No runny filling…no doughy crust..they were perfect…probably because I know how to bake and the recipe was spot on…other wise they might have turned out “horrible!” haha!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Your comment made me smile – thanks, Hayley. I’ve made these so many times over the years, always get asked for the recipe. Enjoy!
These turned out horribly and I followed the recipe exactly!! So sad because I’ve made lemon bars many times and thought I would try a new recipe and now I’m out of time and will
Have to bring something store bought to the potluck. They had this thick crust on top and then watery lemon underneath.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Sam. This is one of my go-to recipes. I’ve made these lemon bars many times and have several friends that count on this recipe, too. I’m not sure what went wrong for you!
These look so good,is it okay if I write this recipe on my blog? I
These look so good,is it okay if I write this recipe on my blog?
My grown daughter loves lemon. I made these for her birthday after comparing different lemon bar recipes I looked up online. These turned out great. The only thing I changed was the sugar in the crust- I used mostly granulated and some confectioners. I used the juice and zest from 2 lemons, which was plenty. The bars baked 30 minutes and set beautifully! Another recipe I saw added a lemon glaze drizzle icing , but these are sweet enough! Saving this recipe! Thanks.
I’m so glad you liked these lemon bars – I get alot of requests for the recipe whenever I take them anywhere!
2 lemons would perfectly for me too. My boyfriend has never had one and was blown away. I’ve had store bought ones but even being my first time making em, I believe I have a new keep on hand recipe. Thanks
Yay!!!! I hope you enjoy many more homemade lemon bars in your future!
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Hands down best lemon bars ever!!! Easy to make and we’re a huge hit this easter. Thanks for sharing. Elizabeth
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This is the best recipe for lemon bars I’ve come across! Most recipes call for 2 T of lemon juice-no lemon flavor! The amount of zest is perfect. I’m always on the lookout for a lemony lemon bar, and this fits the bill! I have made 3 batches in the last couple of weeks for various events, and receive raves every time! Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you agree! I think far too many lemon bars are wimpy on that bright lemon flavor. Enjoy many more tangy lemon bars!
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these were absolutely horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry to hear this, Lindy. I often take these lemon bars to potlucks, and always get requests for the recipe.
Do you chill the baked crust at all before pouring the filling or just add and bake immediately? These look great!
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Hi Brenda
I made Lemon Squares for a friends birthday during the week and I got a gooey mess. I could only cut the edges into squares,the middle I had to throw away. I found your website and thought I’d try your Lemon Bars-seeing as you said they will definately set. I made them tonight and have just sliced them and they are perfect. Tastes great and presentation is 100 times better than my previous effort.Looks just like the photo-a rare thing for me!!! Thank you so much. I can’t wait to try your other recipes.
:)
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I made these and loved, loved, loved them. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
One of my favorite recipes!! I get requests from co-workers quite often. So glad you liked them – thanks for letting me know, Trisha.
Just found you from your guest post on…aaaa…whose site was it??? Well, anyhoo, I loved your guest post and had to come over and check your site! You are now in my collection with a heart by your name! The Lemon Bars hooked me in for sure…whenever I have them, I always think of my wonderful Grandma…they lived on a farm where, as you know, it seems simple, but they are the hardest working people out there! Whenever we had a family event, Lemon Bars were there…very sentimental to me :) I’m looking forward to making this perfect recipe since I never got hers…have a great day!
Paula Deen is amazing, and these bars look great! Definitely printing this one out.
Yummmm! They look great!
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oh wow! those look PERFECT!
My oh my don’t these just look splendid. My husband Herb will just love them.
These do indeed look and sound like the perfect lemon bars! I can’t wait to give them a try!
Mmmm these look amazing! Is the billing basically lemon curd? Knowing my cooking style I’d probably muck it up and it would taste horrible. If I could use just lemon curd for this then it’d turn out okay.
Oh Harriet, this recipe is much to easy to muck up! The filling is very similar to lemon curd, but it sets up more, to be able to cut into bars.
Those look just sensational. Great pictures. They make my mouth water.
Your pictures are making my mouth water. Looks incredibly delicious and I love anything extra tart so I know I’d love these! :)
These look heavenly! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
~Liz
Hi there ~ I just happened upon your blog, and I really like it! I’ve subscribed to your RSS Feed, and look forward to many great recipes to come. I invite you to check out my blog, if you would like ~
I love lemon bars, too. I’ve never tried Paula’s recipe before, and it looks like it will be great – I think it has twice the lemon zest as my recipe, so I will definitely have to give this one a try!
Hi Kathy – so nice to meet you!
I have been looking for a lemon bar recipe for past few weeks! I’ve only made lemon bars out of the Barefoot Contessa box mix. These look fantastic though. And Paula Deen is the best!
These are so beautiful and look like just the right consistency! I definitely have to make these.
I’m so glad you did all the leg-work for us and found us the perfect lemon bar recipe. I have been craving lemon bars for months. I will definitely try out this recipe. You can never go wrong with Paula Deen!
Oh boy! Look at that thick lemon layer, looks good!
Oh boy, Sylvie – it sure is! It’s always so nice to hear from you – thanks!
These look beautiful and delicious and I’m definitely going to make them. Like you, I like my lemon pies and tarts a little chilled. Glad to know that they freeze well. Thanks for sharing your recipe Brenda.
I wish we lived a little closer, Paula. We could get together to share our sweets. :)
I love lemon bars and yours look perfect! So moist, bright and full of flavor… I bet they taste amazing. Thanks for sharing. Have a great weekend! :)
Always great to hear from you, Georgia – you have a great weekend, too!
Don’t you just love Paula Dean! You can’t go wrong following one of her recipes! Thanks for sharing, can’t wait to try this at home!!
Hello Amber – so nice to hear from you. I hope you like them, too!
When I saw this post title, I raised an eyebrow, because being a Paula Deen Lemon Bar initiate, I was nervous that you would try to hawk a recipe that could never possibly measure up.
I Give Thanks because after reading, it’s deadly apparent that we are TOTALLY on the same page as far as lemon bars are concerned. Thank you for sharing the idea of adding extra zest – I’m of the school that More is More, so I’ll definitely be adding that to the mix next time!
Hello, Stranger! Your comment made me laugh – glad to know we share the same lemon bar love!
My husband would love these. Correction: will love these. Thank you in advance!
Wonderful, Lindsay – great to hear from you!