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!
Ashley says
I was short an egg after starting. Still turned out great! Was just what I was craving
Lisa says
Oooh good to know! And I am so glad! Thank you for leaving a comment!
Gg says
Is the filling very liquid when you add to crust? Mine is! Hope it works.
Lisa says
Yep 🙂 It will be liquidy. You can see in the video what it looks like.
Geo says
I made this two times already and love it . Very easy to make and mess free. If you want to join the cozy fall movement try it, plate it nicely and enjoy it with your family. Thanks to the author❤️.
Lisa says
I am so glad you enjoyed these! They are definitely a favorite for me too!
Lisa says
These were delicious and super easy! Served them at a small get together and they were finished in no time. Definitely making them again. Do they have to be stored in the refrigerator as I want to make them the day before?
Lisa says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed them! Yes, I would definitely refrigerate them and you might want to sprinkle with powdered sugar right before serving, otherwise it will disappear overnight from the moisture in the bars.
Gabriela says
I love, love, love lemon bars this was my first time doing them with my 9 years old son. We followed the recipe and They turned out delicious!!!! So sad we can't attach a picture but I can assure you they look fantastic!!
Lisa says
This makes me so happy! I am so glad you guys enjoyed them! You can always tag me @atablefullofjoy on instagram if you post a picture there! I'd love to see them!
Natalie says
I followed the recipe, they turned out great! Tasted great and looked great too. 👍 I used a larger pan than the recipe called for so they were a little thinner than I would’ve liked.
Lisa says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed them!
Elizabeth says
I’ve always eaten these and never made them till now. These came out amazing!!! I did choose not to do the lemon zest (I was lazy) and they still were great. Definitely wanna try it with the zest next time!
Lisa says
Yay! Thank you so much for telling me! I am so happy you enjoyed them!
Hope Cullen says
This recipe is amazing ! So very well explained and delicious I really recommend it !
Lisa says
Yay! I am so glad you enjoyed it!
Hope Cullen says
This recipe was absolutely amazing ! I really suggest it if your looking to do something more challenging but are still a beginner cook. This recipe was very well explained and tasted delicious !!!
Lisa says
You are the best! So glad you loved it!
Caitlyn Erhardt says
These lemon bars are always a hit and one of my son's fave's! Great recipe
Lisa says
Yay! That makes my day!
Bhawana says
These lemon bars looking amazing. I had been waiting to try them. Bookmarking the page to make it. I loved the clicks.
Lisa says
Thanks! Hope you enjoy them!
Deanna says
These are exactly like my grandma used to make. Absolutely the best!
Lisa says
Yay! I am so glad you like them!
Bob says
Sweet, salty and tart with the lemon. Looks like they have it all. I need to try making these!
Lisa says
Yes for sure!
Alexis Singh says
I exactly copied the recipe but the taste was unsatisfactory and unusual.
Lisa says
I'm sorry to hear that. I've always had people love the recipe. Good luck on your future bakes!
Margie says
Looks awesome lemon bars are my favorite
Can't wait to try it
Lisa says
Awesome! Let me know how you like them!