The Best Lemon Bars

These bars are so amazing. The tart lemon filling with the sweet flaky crust is just heaven. Get ready to find your new favorite recipe. Even if you’re not a fan of lemon you will be now. My mom loves this recipe from Sallysbakingaddiction.com. The best part is these are so easy to make and ridiculously addictive and tasty! Let’s get baking!

INGREDIENTS FOR CRUST:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

LEMON FILLING:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 large eggs
•  1 cup lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
• powdered sugar for dusting

DIRECTIONS FOR CRUST:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. line a square pan with parchment paper. Mix the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt together in a medium sized bowl. 
2. Add in the flour and mix it in. The dough will be thick. 
3. Press the dough into the pan firmly. make sure it is even.bake for 20-22 minutes. Remove the from the oven. Poke holes all over the crust but not all the way through. Set aside. (Don’t turn off the oven, you will keep it running while you bake the filling).

DIRECTIONS FOR FILLING:

1. Sift the sugar and flour together in a large bowl. Add in the eggs and lemon juice. Whisk until completely combined.
2. Pour filling over warm pie crust. bake bars for 22-26 minutes. It is ready when it no longer jiggles. Remove bars from oven and cool completely. About 2 hours at room temp. 
3. Now put the bars in the fridge for another 1-2 hours. 
4. Dust with powdered sugar if desired. Cut into squares. I found that you get a cleaner cut when you wipe a knife on a damp paper towel and cut. Serve and enjoy!

Thanks for baking with me!

~ Natalie