Lemon Bar Recipe | Hallmark Ideas & Inspiration (2024)

Lemon Bar Recipe | Hallmark Ideas & Inspiration (1)

By Hallmark staff on September 8, 2016

Savor the fresh-squeezed flavor of Hallmark's Lemon Bars. Here you'll find a classic Lemon Bar recipe complete with a crisp crust, tangy lemon filling and a dusting of powdered sugar. We also squeezed in a few variations: Orange Creamsicle Bars, Chocolate-Orange Bars, Lime Bars and Lemon-Raspberry Bars.

Yield: 3 dozen bars

Inspired? Create and share by tagging @hallmarkstores.

Ingredients

For the crust

2 cups flour

½ cup confectioners’ sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into tablespoons

For the topping

4 large eggs

2 cups granulated sugar

¼ cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ cup lemon juice (3 large lemons)

Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions

Make the crust

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large bowl, with an electric mixer, blend together the flour, confectioners’ sugar and butter until crumbly. With lightly floured hands, press the mixture evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until light golden brown.

Make the topping

  1. In a large bowl, lightly beat the eggs. Mix in the granulated sugar, flour, baking powder and lemon juice. Set aside.
  2. Remove the crust from the oven, quickly remix the lemon topping and pour it over the warm crust. Return it to the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is a light golden brown. Let cool in the pan on a wire rack.
  3. Just before serving, sprinkle the top with confectioners’ sugar through a strainer. Cut into 36 bars, 1½ inches by 2 inches.

Tasty twists

Orange creamsicle bars
For the crust, add 1 tablespoon grated orange zest to the mixture. For the topping, use orange juice instead of lemon juice. Decrease the sugar to 1 cup. Stir in ½ cup sour cream.
Chocolate-orange bars
For the crust, decrease the flour to 1 cup and add 1 cup finely ground almonds. For the topping, use orange juice instead of lemon juice and decrease the sugar to 1 cup. Sprinkle the hot crust with 1 cup chocolate chips and let sit to soften. With a spatula, spread the chocolate evenly over the crust. Add the orangetopping and return to the oven.
Lime bars
For the topping, use lime juice instead of lemon juice. Decrease the sugar to 1½ cups. Use lime zest instead of lemon zest. Add ½ cup flaked coconut to the topping when you add the zest.
Lemon-raspberry bars
Spread ½ cup raspberry jam over the baked crust before pouring on the lemon topping.

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Lemon Bar Recipe | Hallmark Ideas & Inspiration (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to cutting lemon bars? ›

To cut, use the foil overhang to lift the baked square out of pan and onto a cutting board. Carefully loosen the foil from the edges of the crust, using a knife if necessary. Using a sharp knife, cut into squares or triangles. Use a fine sieve to dust the squares with Confectioners' sugar.

Can I use foil instead of parchment paper for lemon bars? ›

Line your 9x13 pan with foil or parchment paper. I've used both. Foil tends to stick to the bottom of the lemon bars a bit, so if I had to choose one, I'd say use parchment paper.

What is lemon bar filling made of? ›

Ingredients. Recipes vary slightly, but lemon bar recipes call for lemon juice, and many suggest fresh squeezed. Other ingredients include butter, white sugar, flour, eggs, and salt.

What are the ingredients in Trader Joe's lemon bars? ›

Ingredients. Lemon juice, sugar, butter (cream [milk]), whole egg, unbleached wheat pastry flour, egg yolk (egg yolk, sugar), dextrose, almond meal, cornstarch, rice flour, baking powder (sodium bicarbonate, sodium acid pyrophosphate, potato starch), gelatin (bovine), salt.

How do you cut lemon bars without sticking to the knife? ›

For easier cutting, you can chill the lemon bars in the refrigerator for a short time before cutting. Wipe the knife clean after each cut to avoid any build-up of sticky residue. If the lemon bars are sticking to the knife, try dipping it in warm water and drying it before making the next cut.

How do you cut lemon bars without sticking? ›

I often have trouble cutting up any sort of cookie bar, not just lemon bars. I have found that a hot, wet, very sharp knife helps quite a bit. Also, make sure the bars are completely chilled before cutting.

Why can't i use a metal pan for lemon bars? ›

– It's best to use a glass or a ceramic pan. Because if you use a metal pan, the acid will react with the lemon juice and the bars will have a slight metallic taste. – Also, make sure not to overcook the filling because it may get a rubbery texture instead of a smooth and creamy one.

When should you not use parchment paper? ›

This means that if you're cooking in a skillet over medium, medium-low, or low heat, you'll probably be fine using parchment. Hill uses it in the oven all the time for any temps under 450°F, but never risks using it on the grill, with the broiler, or in a skillet over high heat because the temperature can exceed 500°F.

What happens if you use aluminum foil instead of parchment paper for baking? ›

Aluminum foil with oil is another good substitute for parchment paper. As with a greased baking sheet, the fat may subtly impact the way your food cooks. Additionally, there is a chance that some of the food may stick to the pan.

Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated after baking? ›

Lemon bars should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated in order to prevent bacterial growth or foodborne illness. The filling in lemon bars is made with eggs and can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it's kept in the danger zone (between 41 and 153 degrees F).

Why do my lemon bars have a crust on top? ›

The crust forms when the sugar in the lemon bar mixture caramelizes and browns during baking, creating a slightly firm, crispy layer over the bars. The top crust isn't always visible, as we all enjoy sprinkling powdered sugar on top of the bars before serving.

Why did the top of my lemon bars crack? ›

Don't Over-Bake.

If you leave them in the oven too long, it can cause your bars to crack.

Is there a lemon bar mix? ›

Franco's Lemon Bar Mix has been served in the finest bars, restaurants and hotels Around the World for over 30 years. Distributed in over 40 countries. One of the most recognized brands In the World.

Why do lemon bars taste metallic? ›

Don't bake in aluminum foil or directly in an aluminum pan. Aluminum will react with the acidic lemon juice and give the bars a metallic taste and can even affect the color. For a softer (but still not soggy!) crust, bake for only 15 minutes and edges are not golden brown.

Is lemon bar a sativa or indica? ›

Lemon Bars is a sativa weed strain made from a genetic cross between unknown parent strains. Lemon Bars is 38% THC, making this strain an ideal choice for experienced cannabis consumers. Bred by Wave Rider, the average price of Lemon Bars typically ranges from $10-$15 per gram.

How do you cut 8x8 lemon bars? ›

For an 8×8 pan:
  1. Using your bench scraper, measure out to the middle of the full-sized piece and cut down.
  2. Measure the halfway point between the middle cut and the edge. Cut straight down, and then repeat on the other side of the middle cut. ...
  3. Turn the dessert and repeat your cuts until you have 16 two-inch squares.
Dec 17, 2020

How do you cut bars cleanly? ›

Firmly press knife down through the bars and gently drag the knife out of the end closest to you. Repeat this step as many times as needed. With each pass, wipe the chef's knife clean with a damp cloth. Coat with cooking spray and wipe clean again.

What knife is best for cutting lemon bars? ›

A "hot, wet, very sharp knife helps quite a bit. Also, make sure the bars are completely chilled before cutting." "Place the lemon bars into the freezer to chill for about 15 minutes before cutting." Cookie cutters may make more forgiving shapes, too.

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