If you’re craving a bright, tangy treat with a buttery shortbread crust, this Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe is a timeless classic you’ll love. Just like grandma used to make, these lemony bars strike the perfect balance between sweet and tart in every bite.
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Why This Recipe Works
- This recipe is simple, quick, and perfect for when the weather starts to warm!
- Easy and delicious Shortbread Crust that is buttery and crunchy in every bite. (This is a spin-off of my chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies recipe!)
- The bright citrusy flavor is delicious and refreshing.
If you like this lemon recipe don't miss my lemon meringue pie, lemon loaf recipe, lemon crinkle cookies, lemon cupcakes, and this fresh homemade lemonade!
What You Need For Old Fashioned Lemon Squares?
Lemons- I like to use fresh lemons so I can also use the zest, but store-bought lemon juice also works. Bonus points for using Meyers Lemon for extra sweetness.
Butter- I use unsalted for this recipe, but substitute salted if that's what you have. Just omit the salt from the recipe.
How to Make Old-Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe?
- Step 1: Combine the crust ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
- Step 2: Press crust into a baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick baking spray
- Step 3: Bake the crust for 20 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
- Step 4: Mix together all the ingredients for the filling and then pour onto the baked crust.
- Step 5: Bake again for another 26 minutes or until the filling is set. Allow to cool before cutting, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
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Substitutions and Variations
Real Lemon Juice vs Store-Bought for Lemon Bars?
Although I do recommend using real lemons for these lemon squares, you can use store-bought lemon juice if that's what you have. Fresh juice adds a stronger lemon flavor that is really needed to make these the best lemon bars ever.
Also adding lemon zest into the filling gives it more lemon flavor as well.
Can I Use Other Citrus Juices, Like Lime or Grapefruit?
Absolutely! Just use the same amount.
Frequently Asked Question
You bake the crust before adding the filling in order to prevent the crust from getting soggy. If you don’t prebake the crust, you will have a mushy mess, and no one wants that!
Clean the knife with a paper towel after each cut.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate any uneaten lemon bars. Eat within 3-4 days for optimal freshness.
Yes! Bake, let them cool, and then freeze- skipping the powdered sugar until you are ready to eat. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil and freeze up to 4 months.
Related Recipes You'll Love
If you want more delicious dessert bars make sure to check out these cinnamon toast crunch bars, the best homemade brownies, and these golden grahams s'mores bars!
If you like this recipe make sure to give it a 5-star review and leave a comment down below!
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Video
Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 cup flour
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- Pinch of salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Filling
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tbs flour
- 3 eggs
- ½ cup lemon juice fresh (3-4 lemons worth)
- 1 tbs lemon zest optional
- Powdered sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray an 8x8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine all the ingredients for the crust, mixing thoroughly until you have a dough. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, making sure to cover the entire bottom of the dish and that the dough is spread out evenly.1 cup flour, ¼ cup powdered sugar, Pinch of salt, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Bake the dough for 20 minutes or just until the edges start to brown.
- While dough is baking, combine all the ingredients for the filling in a medium-sized mixing bowl.1 cup sugar, 3 tbs flour, 3 eggs, ½ cup lemon juice
- Pour filling into baked crust. Bake for 25-28 minutes or until the center of the lemon bars is set and doesn’t jiggle. Let cool completely then dust with powdered sugar and more lemon zest!1 tbs lemon zest, Powdered sugar for garnish
Notes
- Leftovers: Refrigerate any leftover bars- either in an airtight container or put plastic wrap over the dish you baked them in.
- Cutting: To cut the lemon bars cleanly, simply wipe down the knife you use to cut them after every cut.
- Garnish: I highly recommend garnishing with a little extra lemon zest!
Emily says
Super simple. I made it with store bought lemon juice (the kind in a big bottle) and it was still positively scrumptious. I'm not an experienced baker and had never made lemon bars before but I'm very pleased with how these turned out 🙂
Lisa says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Patricia Spillis says
I love anything lemon. My dear mother before she passed away used to make me the best lemon meringue pie I have ever had. After she died I could never find anything even close to the taste of her pie. People used to tell me that. Her pies only tasted like that to me because of the love I felt for her and so I would always find a flaw in any lemon pie or lemon bar. Well I'm here to tell you that your lemon bars not only tasted as good as my mom's they may have tasted better and I want to thank you for making me feel like my mother somehow was in the kitchen again doing what she did best. So thank you for the day I enjoyed feeling like I spent it hanging out baking with my mom. It was a unexpected gift that I needed vey much
Lisa says
I am so happy that the recipe was so much more than just lemon bars. <3
Cheryl says
I made these just as you have it and I absolutely love these. I love anything lemon and these hit the spot. Here comes the but, my crust was very hard and the edges of the filling browned. So I was wondering if my oven was to hot for the time frame for both the crust and the filling and when I make them again I will play with the time. Otherwise, they are great and thank you for sharing.
Lisa says
So glad you enjoyed them!
Janice Rogers says
This is by far the best lemon bar recipe i have ever made. I will always use this recipe. Yummy!!
Lisa says
Thank you! I am so glad you like it!
Roxanne says
Hi, thank you for sharing these are fab! Do you have any suggestions on storage please and how long they will keep. Thank you again
Lisa says
I like to store in the refrigerate and eat within a few days. I typically cover the dish with seran wrap or place the bars in a zip loc baggie then refrigerate 🙂