Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (2024)

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Ina Garten’s Lemon Bars are so good! Imagine a buttery, delicious crust underneath a creamy lemon filling and a crispy sugary top.

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (1)

If you are looking for a delicious and easy dessert to impress your guests, look no further than Ina Garten’s lemon bars. These tangy and sweet treats are made with a buttery shortbread crust and a creamy lemon filling that will make your mouth water.

But first, let’s answer a question — in case you don’t watch the Food Network.

Who is Ina Garten?

Ina Garten is an American author and host of the Food Network show Barefoot Contessa, where she shares her simple and elegant recipes with her fans.

She started her culinary career by buying a small specialty food store in the Hamptons, which she ran for 18 years before selling it and writing her first cookbook. Since then, she has published 12 best-selling cookbooks and won three Emmy awards for her show. She is known for her dishes such as Perfect Roast Chicken, Mac and Cheese, Lemon Bars, and Beef Bourguignon.

Ina is a self-taught cook who learned from reading Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking and traveling to France with her husband Jeffrey. She is not only a successful cook and author, but also a former staff member of the White House Office of Management and Budget, where she worked on nuclear energy policy. She is a role model for many aspiring cooks and home entertainers who admire her passion, creativity, and warmth. 🍽️ Check out Ina Garten’s Cookbooks.

About Those Lemon Bars

As I mentioned above, one of Ina Garten’s most popular desserts is these lemon bar, and for a good reason. These bars are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a picnic, a potluck, or a tea party.

These amazing lemon bars need only some basic ingredients, such as flour, sugar, butter, eggs, lemons, and powdered sugar. You will also need a 9 by 13 inch baking pan, a food processor, a whisk, and a sieve. Let’s get started!

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (2)

Lemon Bar Ingredients

All you need for Ina’s Lemon Bars are some basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, such as butter, sugar, flour (check out our favorite sifters), eggs, and lemons. That’s right, no fancy or expensive ingredients required. Just simple, fresh, and delicious.

The recipe has two parts: the crust and the filling. The crust is a buttery shortbread that melts in your mouth. The filling is a creamy lemon custard that is tangy and sweet. The contrast between the two textures and flavors is amazing.

Trust me, once you try these easy-peasy lemon bars, you will be hooked. They are the best lemon bars ever. You can find the full recipe and instructions below. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Happy baking!

FAQ: Lemon Bars

Can you overcook lemon bars?

The filling should jiggle, like firm Jell-O. If it’s looser than that, you’ll likely end up with runny lemon bars. If they don’t jiggle at all, you’ve overcooked them and they may taste grainy.

Do lemon bars have to be refrigerated?

Well, if you’re planning to serve the bars within 24 hours of baking them, they are fine to be left at room temperature. Any longer than that, I would suggest refrigerating them.

Can I freeze lemon bars?

Yep! You can thaw them overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to eat them. Have a look at our detailed answer to Can You Freeze Lemon Bars.

How many lemons make a cup of juice?

So, about six lemons should do the trick, depending on the size of your lemons.

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (3)

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars

Yield: 20 bars

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Ina Garten's Lemon Bars are so good! Imagine a buttery, delicious crust underneath a creamy lemon filling and a crispy sugary top.

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 2 sticks butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

For the filling:

  • 6 extra-large eggs
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup lemon juice
  • 1 cup flour
  • Powdered Sugar, for dusting

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  2. Line a 9x13 pan with foil or parchment, and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
  3. Cream together the butter and sugar. Mix in the flour and salt until dough forms.
  4. Press the dough into the pan, building up 1/2 inch crust on all sides.
  5. Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden brown. Chill.
  6. Whisk together all of the remaining ingredients (except the powdered sugar), and pour into the cooled crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes until filling is set. Let cool to room temperature or chill overnight.
  7. Dust with powdered sugar before cutting and serving.
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 20Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 337Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 95mgSodium: 116mgCarbohydrates: 56gFiber: 1gSugar: 41gProtein: 4g

Related Recipes:

  • Lemon Meringue Pie Dip
  • Lemon Poppyseed Donuts
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You may also love: Ina Garten’s lobster mac and cheese recipe. It’s delicious!

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Ina Garten's Lemon Bars - Something Swanky Dessert Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze ina Garten's lemon bars? ›

Dust with powdered sugar before cutting into bars and serving. Store lemon bars in the fridge for up to 3 days (can also be frozen).

What cookbook is Ina Garten's lemon bars in? ›

Reprinted from The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, Copyright 1999 by Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter/Publisher.

Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated? ›

Lemon bars should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated in order to prevent bacterial growth or foodborne illness. The filling in lemon bars is made with eggs and can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it's kept in the danger zone (between 41 and 153 degrees F).

What is lemon bar filling made of? ›

Press the crust into the prepared pan and set it off to bake while you assemble the lemon filling. The lemon filling is a simple mixture of eggs, sugar, lemon zest (we love her), flour and cornstarch (to help set the curd), and a generous pour of fresh lemon juice. Whisk to combine. It's really that easy.

What happens if you freeze lemon bars? ›

Yes, lemon bars freeze beautifully—they are even good frozen! To freeze the bars, let them cool completely and freeze the batch whole, covered tightly with aluminum foil or plastic freezer wrap, for up to three months. (The cut bars can also be frozen in a single layer.)

What is the best way to store lemon bars? ›

What is the best way to store lemon bars? Lemon bars can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. You can also store them in the fridge for up to 1 week. If you want to freeze them, place them in a freezer-safe container, and they will keep for up to 3 months.

What does Ina Garten serve with her lemon chicken? ›

The sauce has garlic, thyme and lemon, and has so much flavor," Garten says. "And the whole thing takes like 5 minutes to put together... The best thing about this is that it makes the chicken and the sauce at the same time." Serve it over rice or quinoa, and the grains can absorb all of the sauce, Garten recommends.

How many cookbooks has Ina Garten made? ›

13 Bestselling Inna Garten Cookbooks in Order.

What lemon cake does Kris Jenner use? ›

Alright: first things first- it's basically Duncan Hines Lemon Supreme Cake Mix, JELLO lemon instant pudding mix ( this is the SECRET ingredient I feel ), vegetable, eggs, & milk. There's a glaze too, made with powdered sugar, & lemon juice.

Why are my lemon bars foamy? ›

Seeing a thin whitish foamy layer of air bubbles on top of your baked lemon bars is completely normal. It is the air bubbles created from whisking the eggs rising to the surface during baking. Lemon bars taste the same with or without that layer and a dusting of icing sugar covers it right up!

How to tell if lemon bars are undercooked? ›

Keep an eye on them; rotate every five minutes or so. Once the lemon has set up (doesn't jiggle) they should be done.

Can lemon bars go bad? ›

The USDA says that you can safely keep lemon bars in the fridge for seven days, but The Kitchn recommends consuming the bars in three days. If you've made a whole batch just for yourself and can't finish all your lemon bars in a few days, another option is freezing them.

What country did lemon bars originate from? ›

United States

Why can't I use a metal pan for lemon bars? ›

– It's best to use a glass or a ceramic pan. Because if you use a metal pan, the acid will react with the lemon juice and the bars will have a slight metallic taste. – Also, make sure not to overcook the filling because it may get a rubbery texture instead of a smooth and creamy one.

Why did the top of my lemon bars crack? ›

The dramatic change in temperature will sometimes create these cracks. They do not affect the taste, and you can cover it with powdered sugar. Upside down bars - On rare occasions, bars can come out looking upside down as though the crust is on the top and most of the filling is at the bottom.

Can you freeze store bought lemon bars? ›

Let lemon bars come to room temperature. Slice into individual bars. Wrap each slice in either wax paper or freezer paper or aluminum foil. Then put each wrapped slice in a freezer proof container such as a freezer bag, a resealable plastic bag or a container that can be frozen.

How do you freeze dessert bars? ›

Separate bars with waxed paper between the layers. Remove as much air as possible and seal tightly. Label all packages with the name of the recipe and the date. Bar cookie, like all baked products, should be stored at 0°F or lower.

Does lemon meringue freeze well? ›

Can You Freeze Lemon Meringue Pie? The best way to freeze lemon meringue pie is without the meringue. Pour the filling into the pie crust, wrap tightly in storage wrap and foil, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator, then make the meringue and bake according to the recipe.

How do you store lemon bars in the fridge? ›

Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated? Yes, it's best to store lemon bars in the refrigerator. To store them, simply cover them with plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge. Stored this way, your lemon bars should keep for about 1 week.

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