Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (2024)

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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 - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (1)

If you are looking for a delicious and easy dessert to impress your guests, look no further than Ina Garten’s lemon bars. These tangy and sweet treats are made with a buttery shortbread crust and a creamy lemon filling that will make your mouth water.

But first, let’s answer a question — in case you don’t watch the Food Network.

Who is Ina Garten?

Ina Garten is an American author and host of the Food Network show Barefoot Contessa, where she shares her simple and elegant recipes with her fans.

She started her culinary career by buying a small specialty food store in the Hamptons, which she ran for 18 years before selling it and writing her first cookbook. Since then, she has published 12 best-selling cookbooks and won three Emmy awards for her show. She is known for her dishes such as Perfect Roast Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Lemon Bars, and Beef Bourguignon.

Ina is a self-taught cook who learned from reading Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and traveling to France with her husband Jeffrey. She is not only a successful cook and author, but also a former staff member of the White House Office of Management and Budget, where she worked on nuclear energy policy. She is a role model for many aspiring cooks and home entertainers who admire her passion, creativity, and warmth. 🍽️ Check out Ina Garten’s Cookbooks.

About Those Lemon Bars

As I mentioned above, one of Ina Garten’s most popular desserts is these lemon bar, and for a good reason. These bars are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a picnic, a potluck, or a tea party.

These amazing lemon bars need only some basic ingredients, such as flour, sugar, butter, eggs, lemons, and powdered sugar. You will also need a 9 by 13 inch baking pan, a food processor, a whisk, and a sieve. Let’s get started!

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (2)

Lemon Bar Ingredients

All you need for Ina’s Lemon Bars are some basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, such as butter, sugar, flour (check out our favorite sifters), eggs, and lemons. That’s right, no fancy or expensive ingredients required. Just simple, fresh, and delicious.

The recipe has two parts: the crust and the filling. The crust is a buttery shortbread that melts in your mouth. The filling is a creamy lemon custard that is tangy and sweet. The contrast between the two textures and flavors is amazing.

Trust me, once you try these easy-peasy lemon bars, you will be hooked. They are the best lemon bars ever. You can find the full recipe and instructions below. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Happy baking!

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?

Well, 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! You can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to eat them. Have a look at our detailed answer to Can You Freeze Lemon Bars.

How many lemons make a cup of juice?

So, about six lemons should do the trick, depending on the size of your lemons.

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (3)

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: 20Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 337Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 116mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 1gSugar: 41gProtein: 4g

Related Recipes:

  • Lemon Meringue Pie Dip
  • Lemon Poppyseed Donuts
  • Homemade Lemon Curd

You may also love: Ina Garten’s lobster mac and cheese recipe. It’s delicious!

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Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze ina Garten's lemon bars? ›

The combination of the tender crust, creamy lemon curd center and the crispy top with a dusting of powdered sugar make these lemon bars the ultimate sweet treat. Try them room temperature or frozen!

Can you leave lemon bars out overnight? ›

NO! Refrigerate your lemon 🍋 bars!! Do not leave them out!! Chilling them keeps them fresh..

What happens if you freeze lemon bars? ›

Yes, lemon bars freeze beautifully—they are even good frozen! To freeze the bars, let them cool completely and freeze the batch whole, covered tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, for up to three months. (The cut bars can also be frozen in a single layer.)

What is the shelf life of lemon bars? ›

To store lemon bars, simply place in an airtight container and seal tightly, then put them in the fridge. If you're stacking lemon bars, insert a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. According to the USDA, lemon bars will last in the refrigerator up to 7 days.

How to tell if lemon bars are undercooked? ›

The most common reason for gooey lemon bars is they're undercooked. Be sure to bake them until the top is fully set and no longer jiggly in the middle. You'll also notice the edges will start to brown.

Why are my lemon bars foamy? ›

Seeing a thin whitish foamy layer of air bubbles on top of your baked lemon bars is completely normal. It is the air bubbles created from whisking the eggs rising to the surface during baking. Lemon bars taste the same with or without that layer and a dusting of icing sugar covers it right up!

Can I cool my lemon bars in the fridge? ›

Remove bars from the oven and cool completely at room temperature. I usually cool them for about 2 hours at room temperature, then stick in the refrigerator for 1-2 more hours until pretty chilled. I recommend serving chilled. Once cool, lift the parchment paper out of the pan using the overhang on the sides.

How do you freeze dessert bars? ›

Separate bars with waxed paper between the layers. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly. Label all packages with the name of the recipe and the date. Bar cookie, like all baked products, should be stored at 0°F or lower.

Does lemon meringue freeze well? ›

Once the meringue is golden, the pie can be returned to the freezer for a few minutes if you are unable to serve it right away. Or, pack the completed pie in an airtight container to freeze for up to 2 weeks. Place the re-frozen pie in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to soften before slicing.

Can lemon and lime wedges be frozen? ›

You can freeze lemon wedges or slices, lemon zest, lemon juice, or whole lemons. Always wash fruit with soap and water or a fruit and vegetable wash before starting the prep work for freezing.

Does lemon cake freeze well? ›

How To Freeze Lemon Pound Cake. The cakes can be frozen without the glaze for up to 3 months. After they are completely cooled, double-wrap them securely with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, or place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag. Thaw overnight on the countertop before serving.

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