This old fashioned lemon squares recipe is full of lemony goodness. A delicious crust topped with lemon curd filling, baked to perfection, and dusted with powdered sugar.
If you’re a fan of lemon squares, then you’ve come to the right place. I have an old fashioned lemon square recipe that will have your mouth watering and your guests coming back for more. I’ve loved lemon squares since I was a little girl. My grandmother and mom both made absolutely delicious lemon squares, and when I started baking, I began making them myself. I love this one because it’s a basic, simple lemon bar recipe. There are no bells and whistles or twisty turns. Just an old fashioned lemon square recipe and sometimes, old fashioned really is the best. That’s true of this recipe.
Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe
This recipe is equal parts deliciousness and nostalgia. It starts with a classic lemon square crust made with flour and powdered sugar – the kind we all grew up on. Then, I make a sweet and tangy homemade lemon curd and layer it over the crust. Finally, it is baked to perfection, and when cool, it is cut into classic little squares that we’ve all known for our entire lives. What I end up with is a plateful of delicious, sweet, and tangy lemon squares that are an explosion of flavor and memories in every bite!
Why You’ll Love This Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe
- It’s easy to make and uses simple ingredients.
- It’s sweet, tart, and delicious.
- It makes a great lemon dessert for spring or any time of year.
Recipe Tips
- To accurately measure flour, loosely spoon it into your measuring cup and level it with the flat of a knife.
- Beat your eggs slightly before adding them to the lemon mixture. This helps them incorporate fully into the mix.
- Your crust mixture will be crumbly.
Variations
- For an extra-rich lemon curd, use 6 egg yolks in place of 4 whole eggs.
- You can use 2% milk in place of whole milk if that’s all you have.
- For extra richness, use half and half in place of milk.
What to Serve with Old Fashioned Lemon Squares
Lemon squares are delicious with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. This iconic Americana treat also makes a delicious dessert after classic meals featuring beef, pork, or chicken or backyard favorites like burgers and dogs.
Recipe FAQ
What is lemon bar crust made of?
Classic lemon bar crust is usually made with butter, flour, and sugar that’s mixed to a crumbly consistency and then baked.
How do I know when lemon bars are done?
Lemon bars should have a consistency like Jello when they’re done. If you shake the pan and the jiggle like firm Jello, they’re ready to take out of the oven.
Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated?
Yes, lemon bars should be refrigerated. They’ll last for about a week in the refrigerator.
Why are my lemon bars gooey?
Lemon bars are actually supposed to be a bit gooey. However, if your bars are so gooey that they don’t hold their shape, then they weren’t cooked long enough. The best way to tell if your bars are ready to come out of the oven is to use the jiggle test. Gently shake the pan, and if your lemon squares jiggle like set Jello, then they’re done.
How do you cut lemon squares cleanly?
Run warm water over a sharp knife, wipe it dry, and then make a smooth, even cut across the lemon square pan.
Can lemon squares be frozen?
Absolutely. They freeze very well and will last for up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to Store Old Fashioned Lemon Squares
Store these lemon squares in the fridge in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze them in single layers separated by parchment paper in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe Ingredients
This recipe only uses a few simple ingredients, most of which you already have in your kitchen right now. Anything you don’t have is readily available at your local grocery store.
For the Crust
- All purpose flour
- Powdered sugar
- Salt
- Butter
For the Lemon Topping
- Large eggs slightly beaten
- Sugar
- All purpose flour
- Lemon zest
- Fresh lemon juice
- Whole milk
- Powdered sugar for dusting
How to Make This Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe
Making this recipe is a very straightforward affair. Like most classic recipes, this one is a no-frills recipe that only takes a few minutes and a few simple steps.
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 13×9 baking dish.
Step 2: Make the Buttery Shortbread Crust
Whisk the flour, powdered sugar, and salt together in a large mixing bowl. Then, use a pastry cutter to cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles crumbs.
Step 3: Baking the Crust
Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the baking dish and bake at 350 for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Lemon Filling
While the crust bakes, mix the eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice, and milk together.
Step 5: Bake Again
Pour the lemon curd over the hot crust, then immediately bake again for 18 to 22 minutes or until the center of the lemon mixture jiggles like set Jello when you shake the pan.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Remove the dish from the oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. Sift a thin layer of powdered sugar over the bars, cut into squares and enjoy!
Try This Old Fashioned Lemon Squares Recipe Today
This old fashioned lemon squares recipe is full of sweet, zippy lemon flavor and an absolute ton of nostalgia. This recipe is totally old school, with a classic crust and lemon filling that reminds us all of the lemon squares we grew up on as kids. Give this recipe a try, and I know you’ll find yourself making it a permanent feature in your dessert recipe rotation.
More Delicious Lemon Dessert Recipes You’ll Enjoy
Lemon Pretzel Dessert – A refreshing and delightful lemon dessert that is both sweet and salty goodness in one incredible dessert that is easy to make and is requested over and over again.
Lemon Cookies with Lemon Glaze – These soft and chewy, thick and lemony, refreshing lemon cookies are topped with a lemon glaze and are the perfect summer cookie recipe.
And, Lemon Pound Cake – An easy pound cake is infused with lemon juice and lemon zest, and topped with a simple glaze for added sweetness.
Here is a delicious Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie recipe from Great Grub, Delicious Treats. This creamy and lemony dessert is absolutely delicious and super easy to make.Â
Lemon Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter
For the Lemon Curd
- 4 large eggs slightly beaten
- 1½ cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ¾ cup lemon juice
- ¼ cup whole milk
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Grease a 13 x 9 baking dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk flour, powdered sugar and salt together until combined.
- With a pastry blender, add butter and cut until mixture resembles crumbs.
- Add mixture to baking dish and press firmly, covering bottom of baking dish.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
- While crust is baking, mix together, eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, lemon juice and milk.
- Pour lemon filling mixture over hot crust.
- Bake for additional 18 to 22 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
- Sift a small amount of powered sugar over lemon bars.
- Cut into squares and enjoy.
Notes
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