Creamy Lemon Squares Recipe

Creamy lemon squares are a delightful dessert with a buttery crust and a tangy, smooth lemon filling. They’re perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or as a sweet treat anytime you crave something citrusy and refreshing.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

For the Lemon Filling:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 4 lemons)
• Zest of 2 lemons
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Garnish (Optional):

• Powdered sugar, for dusting
• Lemon zest, for garnish

Instructions

1. Prepare the Crust:

a. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease an 8×8-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

b. Mix the Crust Ingredients:

• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt.
• Add the cold butter pieces and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

c. Press and Bake:

• Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden.

2. Prepare the Lemon Filling:

a. Mix the Filling Ingredients:

• While the crust is baking, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, and salt in a medium bowl.
• Add the eggs and whisk until well combined.
• Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth.

b. Add Filling to Crust:

• Pour the lemon filling over the partially baked crust.

c. Bake:

• Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and the center no longer jiggles.

3. Cool and Serve:

a. Cool:

• Allow the lemon squares to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
• Once cooled, refrigerate for at least 2 hours to make cutting easier.

b. Cut and Garnish:

• Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the lemon squares from the pan.
• Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar and additional lemon zest, if desired.

Tips for Perfect Creamy Lemon Squares

1. Butter Temperature: Make sure the butter is cold when preparing the crust to ensure a flaky texture.
2. Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice provides the best flavor. Roll the lemons before juicing to get more juice out of them.
3. Cooling: Allow the squares to cool completely before cutting to prevent the filling from sticking to the knife and to ensure neat squares.
4. Storage: Store lemon squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
5. Serving: These lemon squares are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a cup of tea or coffee.

Enjoy these creamy lemon squares as a zesty and refreshing dessert that’s sure to brighten up your day!