Description
These Soft Lemon Cookie Bars are the perfect balance of buttery cookie base and gooey lemon filling, providing a refreshing burst of citrus in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for filling)
- 2 large eggs (for filling)
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2–3 lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Spread the cookie mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Whisk together the granulated sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl until smooth while the cookie base bakes.
- Pour the lemon filling evenly over the hot cookie base once it’s out of the oven, being careful not to disturb the cookie layer beneath.
- Return the baking pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then dust with powdered sugar before slicing into squares.
Notes
For an extra pop of flavor, top with fresh berries or serve with whipped cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg