Make the best creamy lemon squares at home, because this easy recipe delivers a smooth filling, a buttery crust, and bright citrus flavor.
Ingredients (Serves 12 squares)
For the crust
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup butter or dairy-free butter, softened
- ¼ tsp salt
For the lemon filling
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 large eggs or egg replacer
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Prepare the oven: First, preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Meanwhile, line a baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the crust: Next, mix flour, powdered sugar, butter, and salt. Then, press the mixture firmly into the pan and bake for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: After that, whisk sugar, eggs, lemon juice, zest, flour, and baking powder until smooth.
- Bake again: Then, pour the filling over the hot crust and bake for 20–25 minutes.
- Cool and serve: Finally, cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and slice into squares.
Tips for Perfect Lemon Squares
- First, use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor.
- Additionally, do not overbake, because the center should remain slightly soft.
- Moreover, chill before slicing for clean edges.
- Finally, wipe the knife between cuts.
Variations
- Vegan Version: Use dairy-free butter and egg replacer.
- Gluten-Free: Additionally, use a gluten-free flour blend.
- Extra Lemon: Furthermore, add more zest for bold citrus flavor.
- Berry Swirl: Also, swirl in raspberry puree before baking.
Health Benefits
- Since lemons are rich in vitamin C, they support immunity.
- Additionally, homemade desserts avoid preservatives.
- Moreover, lemon flavor helps balance sweetness.
- Therefore, these squares feel lighter than many desserts.
Nutrition Facts (Approximate Per Square)
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Protein: 3 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Dietary Fiber: 1 g
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Sugar: 22 g
Kid-Friendly Version
- First, reduce lemon juice slightly for a milder taste.
- Additionally, dust with extra powdered sugar for sweetness.
- Moreover, cut into smaller bite-size squares.
- Finally, serve with fruit or vanilla sauce.
