These yummy lemon bars are a fresh and unexpected take on lemon meringue pie. They’re perfect for the holidays, but you’ll want to make them year-round as well!
Healthy Lemon Bars Recipe
Prep. Time: 15Min. Cooking Time: 40Min. Yield: 18
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup powered sugar
- 1 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 lemons, juiced
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line the bottom and sides of a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper that sticks up above the sides of the pan, so that you can remove the bars later for easy cutting. Set pan aside.
- To make the crust, combine the flour, powdered sugar and salt in a medium bowl.
- Add the melted butter and vanilla extract and stir to combine completely.
- Crumble and distribute over the bottom of the pan and press evenly into the bottom so that it’s even.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are just getting lightly browned. Remove from oven and set aside.
- To make the filling, combine the granulated sugar and flour. Add the eggs, lemon juice and salt and whisk together to combine. Don’t over mix.
- Pour the filling on top of the crust and bake for 20 minutes or until relatively set. Remove from the oven and cool for 15-20 minutes on the counter, then refrigerate until cold and firm.
- Remove bars from pan and dust with powdered sugar, then cut into squares. Bars are best when stored well covered, and they’ll last for 5-6 days.
Nutritional Value: 245cal.
Tips for make Perfect Lemon Bars
Don’t reduce the sugar amount-
Sugar not only adds sweetness (which helps reduce how tart the filling could be), but it also adds moisture. That moisture helps to keep these bars from cracking. It makes the center of bar chewy too!
To prevent air bubbles in the bars
Be sure to whisk gently and let the eggs sit with the sugar for a few minutes to help it dissolve with minimal whisking.
Use Fresh Lemon Juice Only
Use fresh lemon juice rather than bottled – the flavor is very different, and the fresh lemon juice will make these bars SO much better. Trust me.
Use a metal pan.
Metal conducts heat faster than glass or ceramic so the crust will bake quicker and more evenly.
Don’t Overbake the bars
Lemon bars are ready when the edges are set but the center is still slightly soft with a bit of a jiggle in the middle. This ensures that you have a smooth filling in center.
Chill the lemon bars properly. Don’t Hurry!
Do refrigerate and give lemon bars time to set properly. Do chill them for minimum 2hrs. as than they will be easier to cut too. The filling needs time to set.
How to Store Lemon Bars
These lemon bars are an amazing make-ahead dessert, because they’ll last for nearly a week if stored properly! Be sure to put them in a covered air-tight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for up to 6 days!
You can also try these bars with honey in place of sugar. But be prepared that the taste will differ a bit. These naturally sweetened lemon bars are made with honey instead of sugar. They’re a great way to avoid the unnecessary use of refined sugars.