These easy Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust will brighten your day with their fresh lemon flavor! The buttery homemade graham cracker crust has a crunchy base, while the creamy lemon filling has a burst of zesty lemon. This is a delicious recipe for all the lemon lovers.
Check out my Lemon Raspberry Loaf Cake and my Lemon Pudding Bundt Cake for more lemon baked goods!
![lemon bars stacked on a wood platter.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/lemon-graham-cracker-dessert.jpg)
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Lemon bars with a graham cracker crust are a classic dessert that combines the perfect balance of fresh lemons with the buttery goodness of a buttery graham cracker crust. This lemon bar recipe will be your new favorite lemon dessert!
These are the perfect bars to make for delicious lemon desserts.
![close up view of a lemon bar.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/easy-lemon-bars.jpg)
Why You'll Love This Recipe
These bars are made with a generous amount of lemon zest and freshly squeezed lemon juice. The graham cracker crust provides a deliciously buttery and slightly sweet base that complements the tart lemon filling.
When you are looking for easy desserts, you can prepared the creamy lemon squares in advance, making them a convenient dessert for entertaining.
Ingredients You Need
![lemon bars with graham cracker crust labeled ingredients.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/lemon-bars-with-graham-cracker-crust-ingredients.jpg)
For the Crust:
- Graham cracker crumbs: These provide the base for the crust. They also add a crunchy texture to contrast with the lemon filling.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the crust.
- Unsalted butter: Melted butter binds the graham cracker crumbs together.
For the Filling:
- Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the filling together.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the filling and balances the tartness of the lemon.
- All-purpose flour: Acts as a thickening agent, helping to set the filling and give it a smooth texture.
- Baking powder: Helps the filling rise slightly and adds a lightness to the bars.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Lemon zest: Adds bright citrus flavor.
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice: The star ingredient that gives the bars their tangy taste.
- Powdered sugar: Used for dusting the top of the bars.
Step By Step Photos
![Ingredients for the crust in a mixing bowl.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/crust-ingredients-1.jpg)
Combine the crust ingredients.
![Crust pressed into a baking dish.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/crust-pressed-in-dish.jpg)
Press evenly into the bottom of the pan.
![Eggs and sugar in a mixing bowl.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/eggs-sugar.jpg)
Whisk together the eggs and sugar.
![Flour and lemon zest added to the egg mixture.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/flour-lemon-zest.jpg)
Whisk the rest of the filling ingredients.
![Lemon filled poured over the baked crust.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/filling-over-crust.jpg)
Pour mixture over the crust and bake.
![Lemon bar covered in powdered sugar.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/powdered-sugar-bars.jpg)
Dust the top with powdered sugar.
How To Make Creamy Lemon Bars From Scratch
Step 1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
Step 2. Make the crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Press the press graham cracker mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes until lightly golden. Let it cool for 5 minutes.
Step 3. Make the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and sugar. Add flour, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth.
Step 4. Assemble and bake: Pour the lemon bar filling over the cooled baked crust. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are golden, and the center is set.
Step 5. Cool and refrigerate: Allow the bars to cool to room temperature in the pan. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until completely chilled.
Step 6. Dust with powdered sugar: Once chilled, dust the top of the bars with powdered sugar.
Step 7. Slice and serve: Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into squares with a sharp knife for extra clean slices.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
![bite taken out of stacked lemon bars.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/graham-cracker-crust-bars-recipe.jpg)
Tips
- For the best flavor, I recommend to using fresh squeezed lemon juice and zest.
- When baking the graham cracker crust, make sure it turns a light golden brown before removing it from the oven.
- It's best to dust the bars just before serving to prevent the sugar from being absorbed into the bars.
- When it's time to cut the chilled bars into squares, use a sharp knife for a clean cut.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lemon Bars
Store cooled lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be stored for up to 3-4 days.
Yes, you can freeze lemon bars for longer storage. Cut the bars into individual portions, place them on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Consume within 2-3 months.
More Lemon Recipes You Might Enjoy
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![lemon bars with graham cracker crust thumbnail picture.](https://simpledesserts.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/lemon-bars-with-graham-cracker-crust-thumbnail-360x360.jpg)
Lemon Bars With Graham Cracker Crust
Ingredients
For Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
For Filling
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper making sure to leave some overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars.
- To make the crust, combine the graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a bowl. Add the melted butter and mix until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 5 minutes.
- To make the filling, whisk together the eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and whisk until smooth and well combined.
- Pour the filling mixture over the crust and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
- Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool to room temperature. Refrigerate the bars for at least 2 hours or until completely chilled.
- To serve, dust the top of the bars with powdered sugar and cut them into squares. Enjoy!
Notes
- For the best flavor, I recommend to using fresh squeezed lemon juice and zest.
- When baking the graham cracker crust, make sure it turns a light golden brown before removing it from the oven.
- It's best to dust the bars just before serving to prevent the sugar from being absorbed into the bars.
- When it's time to cut the chilled bars into squares, use a sharp knife for a clean cut.
- Storing: Store cooled lemon bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be stored for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Cut the bars into individual portions, place them on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. Consume within 2-3 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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