Ingredients
- All-Purpose Flour
- Sugar
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Unsalted Butter
- Lemon Juice
- Lemon Zest
- Eggs
- Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that's warming up, grab an 8×8-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides—this will help you lift out those luscious bars easily later on. Lightly grease the parchment to ensure nothing sticks!
- Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Make sure these dry ingredients are well combined; this step is crucial for ensuring even rising in your lemon sugar cookie bars. Set this bowl aside as we move on to the wet ingredients!
- Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until fluffy—about 2-3 minutes should do the trick! This process incorporates air into the mixture, which is essential for achieving that light texture. Next, add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Now it's time for the star players: lemon juice and zest! Stir these into your mixture until combined.
- Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add your dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Use a spatula or wooden spoon to mix gently until just combined—overmixing can lead to tough bars! Once everything looks good, pour this luscious batter into your prepared baking dish and spread it evenly using your spatula.
- Step 5: Bake Away!: Toss those delightful bars into your preheated oven and let them bake for about 20-25 minutes or until they turn lightly golden around the edges. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean but not dry! Once baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the dish before lifting out using the parchment paper overhang.
- Step 6: Finish It Off!: Once cooled, dust your delicious lemon sugar cookie bars generously with powdered sugar for that classic aesthetic charm. Slice them into squares or rectangles—whatever shapes suit your fancy—and get ready to serve these scrumptious treats at your next gathering or simply enjoy them yourself!
Notes
- For optimal freshness, store your Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate them for a longer shelf life. If you prefer them warm, simply reheat individual bars in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds—this will keep them soft and delicious! For a delightful serving suggestion, pair the bars with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and garnish with extra lemon zest for a pop of color. Remember to avoid overmixing the batter when combining wet and dry ingredients; this ensures your bars remain tender and fluffy rather than tough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American