If you’re a lover of bright, sunny desserts, this Lemon Delight Bars Recipe is about to steal your heart! Imagine biting into layers of buttery crust and vibrant, tangy lemon filling, nestled under a pillow of snowy powdered sugar. These bars are the perfect marriage of tart and sweet, made with simple ingredients you probably have on hand, bringing summertime sunshine straight to your kitchen table. Whether you’re hosting brunch, need a picnic treat, or just want to sweeten up a weekday, this is the zesty dessert you’ll turn to again and again.

Lemon Delight Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

All it takes is a handful of classic ingredients to make the Lemon Delight Bars Recipe truly magical. Each element plays a starring role, ensuring balanced flavor, perfect texture, and that signature sunny color.

Unsalted butter: Essential for the rich, tender crust; using unsalted lets you control the overall saltiness.
All-purpose flour: Forms the structure of both the crust and lemon filling, keeping everything together perfectly.
Powdered sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust and gives that beautiful, snow-like dusting on top.
Salt: Just a touch enhances the sweetness and deepens all the flavors.
Eggs: The backbone of the filling—makes it silky, set, and just the right amount of rich.
Granulated sugar: Brings signature sweetness to the lemony filling, complementing every tart note.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice: The star ingredient for a real, vibrant citrus punch; don’t swap for bottled!
Lemon zest: Intensifies the citrus aroma and taste, adding irresistible fragrance.
Powdered sugar (for topping): A final flourish that looks gorgeous and adds the perfect sweet finish.

How to Make Lemon Delight Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan so your bars pop out easily when sliced, or use parchment paper for effortless, mess-free lifting—your future self will thank you when it’s time to serve!

Step 2: Make the Buttery Crust

In a mixing bowl, combine softened butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix until everything comes together and the dough is crumbly but sticks when pressed. This simple blend becomes a melt-in-your-mouth base packed with flavor in just minutes.

Step 3: Bake the Crust

Press the crumbly mixture firmly and evenly into the pan. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until lightly golden around the edges. This step gives you that irresistible, crisp foundation every great Lemon Delight Bars Recipe needs.

Step 4: Mix the Lemon Filling

While the crust is baking, whisk eggs, granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice, and zest in a large bowl. Stir until smooth. Using fresh lemon juice and zest gives the bars their signature pop—don’t be tempted by pre-bottled lemon juice!

Step 5: Bake the Lemon Filling

As soon as your crust comes out of the oven, pour the lemon mixture over it. Slide the pan back into the oven to bake for 22 to 25 minutes, until the filling is set and just barely golden. Your kitchen will smell like a lemon grove!

Step 6: Cool, Chill, and Dust

Let the bars cool completely in the pan. Then chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour—this makes them easier to slice into perfect squares. Just before serving, dust generously with powdered sugar for a picture-perfect finish.

How to Serve Lemon Delight Bars Recipe

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar is classic, but you can elevate your Lemon Delight Bars Recipe by adding a twist of lemon zest on top or a few delicate edible flowers. Even a raspberry or blueberry per bar can add a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Side Dishes

These bars are fabulous on their own, but try pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a creamy dollop of whipped cream, or a side of fresh berries for an extra special dessert plate. They also pair beautifully with a mug of herbal tea or a flute of sparkling wine!

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your Lemon Delight Bars Recipe into different shapes—try triangles, diamonds, or mini squares—then arrange them on a platter for dramatic effect. For parties, serve them in cupcake liners or wrap individually with parchment for a picnic-perfect treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they’ll stay fresh and flavorful for up to four days. If you’ve dusted them with powdered sugar already, you might want to add a fresh dusting before serving, as it tends to dissolve over time in the fridge.

Freezing

These bars freeze exceptionally well! Cut and layer them between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to three months; thaw in the refrigerator and add fresh powdered sugar just before enjoying.

Reheating

Lemon Delight Bars Recipe are best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, but if you prefer them slightly warm, let them rest on the counter for 30 minutes. Avoid microwaving, as this can make your crust soggy and filling rubbery.

FAQs

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon juice really delivers the lively citrus flavor that makes this recipe shine; bottled juice just doesn’t compare in freshness or taste.

Why did my bars turn out runny?

Usually, runny bars mean the filling needed more baking time, or measurements of ingredients were slightly off. Check your oven temperature and use accurate measuring tools for best results.

How do I get clean, neat edges when slicing?

Chill your bars thoroughly in the fridge, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between slices. For extra clean cuts, run the knife under hot water before slicing.

Can I make Lemon Delight Bars Recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Substitute a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Check that your other ingredients are gluten-free as well for a truly safe treat.

Can I double the Lemon Delight Bars Recipe for a crowd?

Absolutely! Simply double all ingredients and bake in two pans, rather than one extra-large pan, to ensure the crust and filling layer properly and bake evenly.

Final Thoughts

I guarantee that once you try this Lemon Delight Bars Recipe, it’ll become a sunny staple in your baking rotation. The sweet tang, lush texture, and beautiful presentation win everyone over—so whip up a batch and share some homemade brightness with your favorite people!

Lemon Delight Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Lemon Delight Bars are a perfect combination of sweet and tangy flavors in a delightful dessert. A buttery crust topped with a luscious lemon filling, dusted with powdered sugar, makes for a refreshing treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup powdered sugar
¼ teaspoon salt

Lemon Filling:

4 large eggs
1¾ cups granulated sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
⅔ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest

Topping:

Powdered sugar for dusting

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
In a mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Mix until a crumbly dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until lightly golden.
While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Pour the filling over the hot crust as soon as it comes out of the oven. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 22–25 minutes, or until the filling is set and just barely golden on top.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 1 hour before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.