1-Getting started with lemon bars is as easy as preheating your oven. First, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper for easy removal. This step ensures your bars lift out cleanly and helps with the overall baking process.

2-Next, mix together 2 1/2 cups flour, powdered sugar, and salt, then add the melted butter and stir until combined; you can also add 1 teaspoon vanilla for extra flavor if you like.

3-Once mixed, press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish and bake for 20 minutes until it’s lightly golden, creating a solid base for your filling.

4-While the crust bakes, prepare the filling by pulsing the sugar and lemon zest in a food processor until the zest blends fully and the sugar turns light yellow; if you don’t have a food processor, finely mince the zest and mix it with the sugar. In a large bowl, whisk together this lemon sugar mixture and the remaining 1/2 cup flour until smooth.

5-Now, add the lemon juice and eggs to the sugar-flour mixture and whisk until fully incorporated, making sure everything is well combined for a creamy texture.

6-Pour the filling evenly over the warm crust and bake for about 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until the center is just set.

7-After baking, let the bars cool at room temperature for at least one hour, then chill in the refrigerator for two hours to set properly.

8-Finally, dust the top with powdered sugar before slicing into bars using a sharp, damp knife, and clean the knife between cuts for neat slices.