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Old-fashioned lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar

Old-Fashioned Lemon Bars

These old-fashioned lemon bars have a buttery shortbread crust, a soft lemony filling, and a simple dusting of powdered sugar on top. They are bright, sweet, tangy, and perfect for spring and summer baking.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Cool/Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 55 minutes
Servings: 9 bars
Course: Brunch, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the crust
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup butter cubed
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • pinch of salt
For the filling
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 3 eggs
For topping
  • powdered sugar for dusting

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, butter, powdered sugar, and salt until crumbly.
  3. Press firmly into an 8x8 baking dish.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes, or a little longer if needed, until the crust looks set and lightly golden around the edges.
  5. In another bowl, stir together sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and eggs until smooth.
  6. Pour over the baked crust.
  7. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F.
  8. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the filling is set.
  9. Cool at room temperature for 2 hours.
  10. Refrigerate for 2 more hours.
  11. Dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • Fresh lemon juice gives the best flavor.
  • If the crust still looks pale after 15 minutes, bake it a few minutes longer before adding the filling.
  • Chill completely before cutting.
  • Wait until serving to dust with powdered sugar.