Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars Recipe

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Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars are so good! Imagine a buttery, delicious crust underneath a creamy lemon filling and a crispy sugary top.

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars
Close up of creamy lemon filling barwith sugary top

FAQ: Lemon Bars

Can you overcook lemon bars?

The filling should jiggle, like firm Jell-O. If it’s looser than that, you’ll likely end up with runny lemon bars. If they don’t jiggle at all, you’ve overcooked them and they may taste grainy.

Do lemon bars have to be refrigerated?

If you’re planning to serve the bars within 24 hours of baking them, they are fine to be left at room temperature. Any longer than that, I would suggest refrigerating them.

Can I freeze lemon bars?

Yep! Thaw them out overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to eat them.

How many lemons make a cup of juice?

Six lemons should do the trick.

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars are so good! Imagine a buttery, delicious crust underneath a creamy lemon filling and a crispy sugary top.

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars

Yield: 20 bars
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars are so good! Imagine a buttery, delicious crust underneath a creamy lemon filling and a crispy sugary top.

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

  • 6 extra-large eggs
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup flour
  • Powdered Sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  2. Line a 9x13 pan with foil or parchment, and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Cream together the butter and sugar. Mix in the flour and salt until dough forms.
  4. Press the dough into the pan, building up 1/2 inch crust on all sides.
  5. Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Chill.
  6. Whisk together all of the remaining ingredients (except the powdered sugar), and pour into the cooled crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes until filling is set. Let cool to room temperature or chill overnight.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar before cutting and serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 337Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 116mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 1gSugar: 41gProtein: 4g

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Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars Recipe
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Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars Recipe
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21 thoughts on “Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars Recipe”

  1. I LOVE lemon and these look wonderful. I could eat one now at 7:30 in the morning. HA!!! I don’t make many lemon things because I can’t leave it alone and my hubby isn’t much for it.

  2. Wow, these are gorgeous. Love the filling! I’ve never met a lemon bar that I didn’t inhale in two seconds flat, and I’m sure that these would take even less time to take care of!
    Happy Mother’s Day!

  3. I am such a fan of Ina’s recipes and have had major success with this lemon bar recipe as well. So glad you’re sharing this as well!

  4. I do have one question you said there’s a sugary crunchNess on top but you don’t put any sugar before you bake it I don’t understand

    • It’s just the way they bake up 🙂 Some of the sugar from the filling separates and creates the crunch up top. It’s yummy!

  5. I made these and while I love the texture and the lemony goodness, they were way too sweet. Next time I make them, I will reduce the sugar by half.

  6. Looks sublime;) I do, however, have a jar of lemon curd in my pantry that I haven’t been able to use as yet. Could I use the curd for the filling instead?

  7. Ina, thank you for sharing this great looking recipe. I can’t wait to try it, lemon is my favorite I can taste it already.

  8. my batch is in the oven right now as I type. On the last ten mins. The smell in my house is SPRING!!  I made a vanilla wafer crust. I hope it turns out ok. I was pressed for time but it’s baking up beautifully. 

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