Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe

(Last Updated On: April 16, 2024)

This old fashioned lemon squares recipe is so delicious and quick to make. It only takes 27 minutes total to bake in the oven. Then, the final step is to sprinkle powdered sugar on top. The recipe is so simple to make. The taste is incredible. If you love lemon meringue pie but don’t want to go through all of the hassles of making it, these lemon bars will satisfy your lemon craving with the spectacular lemon flavor pouring out of these bars.

🍋 Key Ingredients for These Old-Fashioned Lemon Squares

Shortbread Crust

• 1/2 cup of softened butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Lemon Filling

• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder

Topping

• 1/2 cup Confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)

👩‍🍳 How to Make Old-Fashioned Lemon Squares

These step-by-step instructions are accompanied by detailed photos for enhanced clarity and guidance.

Making the Shortbread Crust for Lemon Squares

In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup of softened butter all together with 1/4 cup of sugar.

Gradually add the flour together with the butter and sugar. This will form a kind of crumbly mixture.

Then, overlap a piece of parchment paper into an 8×8-inch baking pan. After that, press the crust mixture into the parchment paper in the baking pan. However, if you don’t have parchment paper, go ahead and use some cooking spray all around the baking pan.

Place the baking pan with the crust mixture into the oven and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, or until the edges of the shortbread crust are lightly browned. After the 15 minutes are up, take the baking pan out of the oven and set it aside.

Making the Lemon Filling for Lemon Bars

In a small bowl, put 3/4 cup of sugar together with 2 eggs, 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice (or use this lemon juice), 2 tablespoons flour, and 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder. Mix thoroughly together.

Note: You can squeeze the juice from real lemons, or you can use 100% real lemon juice from a bottle. It’s much quicker to use lemon juice from the bottle, but you can’t beat freshly squeezed lemon juice either.

Pour the lemon filling over the top of the baked crust.

Bake for 12 minutes. After 12 minutes of baking time, the lemon filling will be lightly browned on the top and the inside will be slightly set but still a bit gooey. Let the baked lemon squares cool completely before going on to the next step.

Topping For Lemon Bars

Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of confectioners’ sugar over the top of the lemon filling, then chill it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. The firmness of the lemon filling will be set as it cools in the refrigerator.

After the lemon bars are chilled, they are cut into 9 squares. They are now ready to serve.

✍️ Final Thoughts for This Lemon Bar Recipe

I hope you like this recipe for old-fashioned lemon bars as much as our family does. They are so easy to make and taste so much better than the ones you can make out of a box. Enjoy!

❓ FAQs for Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe

Can lemon bars be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze and store these classic lemon bars to make them last and stay fresh longer. It is easy to thaw them when you are ready to eat by simply setting them out for a few minutes. When stored properly in an airtight container, lemon squares can be stored for 2-3 months.

Recipe Card

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