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Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars

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Ina Garten's Lemon Bars are hands down the most delicious and decadent dessert I've ever made. Keep reading to get the recipe.

Yesterday Kayla was in a mood to cook. It was a lazy Sunday so we pulled up our Pinterest app and started searching for Ina Garten recipes.

Here lately, we are obsessed with her! I have no clue why. Her food seems so beautiful and fancy, but so easy to make.

For example — these lemon bars.

How to Make Ina Garten's Lemon Bars

This recipe whipped up in no time flat. While Kayla was working on our Homemade cold brew coffee concentrate, I made the shortbread crust, baked it in the oven, and then made the lemon filling — which by the way is the most amazing filling I have ever tasted.

You do need to make sure you use fresh lemon juice — not that concentrate in the bottle. That stuff is just nasty! Once you use fresh lemons, you will never want to use the bottled stuff again.

Look at how beautiful and creamy the middle of these Lemon Bars turned out.

The shortbread crust is soft and delicate and then once you top with powdered sugar, you have reached sweet perfection.

Be sure and follow the recipe to the tee. Don't try to add the lemon filling while the crust is hot.

When you pull it from the oven, let it sit, and then go throw on some Netflix or Hulu and watch a couple of episodes of something. Then when you come back, fill the crust and finish baking.

Once it comes out of the oven, let it cool completely before cutting. The first bite is very tart until you get used to the lemon taste. The powdered sugar on top cuts down on that.

If you want to try another variation to a lemon bar recipe, be sure to check out my Pioneer Woman Lemon Bars recipe. It is pure perfection as well.

Hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I did! For my next lemon recipe, I am going to give these Eggless Lemon Drizzle Mini Loaf Cakes a try or maybe this delicious Vibrant Lemon Polenta Cake. Both look equally delicious.

Check out these other Lemon recipes on the site!

Recipe adapted from Ina Garten's Lemon Bars recipe.

Yield: 18 bars

Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars

Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars

This recipe is so delicious and so easy to make. The Lemon flavor is front and center in these bars.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes

Ingredients

For the Crust:

  • 1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Filling:

  • 6 large eggs at room temperature
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest, 4 to 6 lemons
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 x 13 x 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  3. Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let it cool on a wire rack for 20 minutes.
  4. For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. The filling should not be runny at all. It should have very little jiggle to it when touched. Let cool to room temperature.
  5. Cut into squares and dust with confectioners’ sugar.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

18

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 377Total Fat: 12gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 44mgCarbohydrates: 65gFiber: 2gSugar: 46gProtein: 5g

Did you make this recipe?

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Sam

Saturday 23rd of December 2023

There are several details missing in the recipe, obvious by the comments. It would be really nice if the recipe were updated with these details (i.e. how long to chill the crust? Is the filling meant to be runny? etc.)

Jennifer Sikora

Sunday 24th of December 2023

I have updated the post with the chill time. As for the filling,it says cook it until the filling is set. That should be self explanatory.

kd

Tuesday 21st of November 2023

I can’t tell if they are done. Very jiggly after 40 minutes in the oven. Getting very browned, going to remove from oven and hope for the best.

Jennifer Sikora

Saturday 25th of November 2023

Let me know how they turned out.

George

Tuesday 24th of October 2023

The only lemon bar recipe you will ever want. Perfect everytime.I get rave reviews.I like that it's not shy on the lemon juice.

Jennifer Sikora

Wednesday 25th of October 2023

I agree. I think the extra lemon flavor is what makes these bars!

Maryam

Saturday 1st of April 2023

Can you use granulated sugar substitute?

Jennifer Sikora

Sunday 2nd of April 2023

Yes as long as it is a one to one substitute.

Melissa

Wednesday 18th of January 2023

I’m not usually into lemon pies or cookies but This was so easy and 5he flavor was sooo delicious! Making more tomorrow!😃

Jennifer Sikora

Thursday 19th of January 2023

Yes! They are the best flavor of sour and sweet together.

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