1-Getting started with this lemon bars recipe is a breeze, especially if you’re a beginner. First, preheat your oven to 325°F and line a 9×13 inch glass or ceramic pan with parchment paper for easy removal later. This step helps avoid any metallic taste and ensures your bars come out perfectly. Mix the melted butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt in a bowl, then stir in the flour to create a thick dough that forms the base of your buttery crust.

2-Press this dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake it for 20-22 minutes until the edges turn lightly browned. While the crust is still warm, poke some holes in it with a fork to help the filling stick better and prevent sogginess. For the filling, whisk together the sugar and flour in another bowl, then add the eggs and lemon juice until everything is smooth and well combined.

3-Pour this mixture over the warm crust and bake for another 22-26 minutes, or until the center is set but still a bit firm. Let the bars cool at room temperature for 1-2 hours, then pop them in the fridge for an additional 1-2 hours to firm up. Once ready, slice them into squares and dust with confectioners’ sugar if you like. The total prep time is about 10 minutes, with cooking around 40 minutes and cooling taking 2-4 hours, so plan for roughly 3 hours and 50 minutes overall. Check out my lemon oatmeal cookies for another fun citrus idea that pairs well with this.