Lemon Bars

                                                        Lemon Bars

Lemon bars are a delightful and tangy dessert with a buttery shortbread crust topped with a luscious lemon filling. Here's a classic recipe to make delicious lemon bars:

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the lemon filling:

• 6 large eggs
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.

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3. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

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5. Gradually add the flour and salt to the butter mixture, mixing until the dough comes together and forms a crumbly texture.

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7. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.

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9. Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until it turns lightly golden. Remove it from the oven and set aside.

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11. While the crust is baking, prepare the lemon filling. In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and flour until well combined.

12. Pour the lemon filling over the baked crust.

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14. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes or until the lemon filling is set and no longer jiggles when gently shaken.

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16. Remove the lemon bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the baking dish.

17. Once cooled, you can refrigerate the lemon bars for at least 2 hours to chill and make them easier to cut.

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19. Optional: Dust the top of the lemon bars with powdered sugar before serving for an extra touch of sweetness.

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21. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the lemon bars from the baking dish, and then cut them into squares.

Serve these delectable lemon bars as a refreshing treat for any occasion or simply as a delightful dessert to enjoy with family and friends. The combination of the buttery crust and zesty lemon filling is sure to be a hi