Lemon sugar cookie bars are an easy to make, homemade dessert recipe that's perfect for spring and summer. Tender and moist sugar cookie bars are filled with lemon zest and topped with a crunchy sugar crust.
2teaspoonslemon zest*double for a strong lemon flavor
1tablespoonlemon juice
2.5cupsall purpose flour
1teaspoonbaking powder
½teaspoonsalt
¼cupgranulated sugarreserved for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease the bottom and sides and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, add butter and sugar. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, mix at medium speed until light and fluffy, about a minute. Add eggs, vanilla extract, lemon zest and lemon juice, then beat until fluffy, about a minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl.
In a separate bowl, sift together dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
Pour into prepared pan and use a spatula to spread evenly to the edges. Batter will be thick.
Sprinkle up to ¼ cup of reserved granulated sugar evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake for about 20-22 minutes, or until bars are lightly browned around the edges and beginning to lightly brown across the top. To test with a toothpick for doneness: Insert toothpick into the center of the pan. If toothpick comes out with wet batter, the bars are not done. Continue checking every 2 minutes. If toothpick comes out dry or with a few crumbs, your bars are done.
Place pan onto a wire rack and allow to cool completely before slicing.
Video
Notes
Use one large lemon to make this recipe as written for a light and sweet lemon flavor.
*For a stronger tart lemon flavor, zest an additional lemon and add the zest to the batter. Do not add additional lemon juice, as this can affect the rise of your bars in the oven.
Once completely cooled and sliced, store bars in an airtight container at room temperature. Bars will keep for 3-5 days. To keep them fresh for longer, add a slice of bread to the container and replace when bread gets stale. Bread will help keep the bars soft and moist.