The Best Alton Brown Lemon Bars Recipe for Zesty Sweet Bliss

Zesty lemon bars dance with bright, tangy flavors that promise pure culinary delight.

Sweet and tart sensations blend seamlessly in this classic dessert.

Buttery shortbread creates a perfect foundation for the silky smooth citrus layer.

Each bite brings a burst of sunshine to your palate.

Professional bakers and home cooks treasure this simple yet sophisticated treat.

Precision matters when crafting these delectable squares of happiness.

Rich, creamy filling melts against a perfectly crisp crust, creating a textural symphony that will make you swoon: dig in and savor every incredible moment.

What Makes Alton Brown’s Lemon Bars the Ultimate Tangy Treat

• Burst of Citrusy Freshness: These lemon bars deliver an incredible punch of bright, zesty flavor that instantly awakens your taste buds with tangy lemon goodness straight from fresh lemon zest.
• Perfectly Balanced Texture Delight: The recipe creates a dreamy combination of a crisp, buttery shortbread crust and silky smooth lemon filling that melts beautifully in your mouth with each bite.
• Hassle-Free Baking Adventure: Designed with simple steps and common kitchen tools like a food processor or stand mixer, this recipe welcomes both novice and experienced bakers to create a professional-looking dessert without complicated techniques.
• Make-Ahead Dessert Superstar: These lemon bars shine as a make-ahead treat, requiring only a couple of hours of chilling time, making them ideal for preparing in advance for parties, potlucks, or unexpected sweet cravings.

What You’ll Need for Alton Brown’s Lemon Bars

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the base structure and texture for the lemon bar foundation.
• Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a delicate, tender crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
• Unsalted Butter: Brings richness and helps bind the crust ingredients together.
• Vanilla Extract: Optional flavor enhancer that adds depth to the crust.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates the sweet base for the lemon filling.
• Lemon Zest: Provides intense citrus flavor and aromatic brightness.
• Eggs: Helps set and bind the filling, creating a smooth custard-like texture.
• Lemon Juice: Delivers bright, tangy citrus flavor to the bars.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the lemon filling.

• Powdered Sugar: Used for dusting the top of the cooled lemon bars, adding a sweet finishing touch.

How to Make Alton Brown’s Lemon Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Dish

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage with slight overhang for easy removal.

Step 2: Create the Crust Mixture

• All-purpose flour
• Powdered sugar
• Salt
• Melted butter
• Optional: Vanilla extract

Whisk flour, powdered sugar, and salt together. Add melted butter and optional vanilla. Mix until a smooth dough forms. You can use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or mix by hand.

Step 3: Bake the Crust

Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Create a smooth, level surface. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes until the edges turn golden brown.

Step 4: Prepare Lemon Zest Sugar

Zest 3 fresh lemons. Combine lemon zest with sugar in a food processor. Pulse until the sugar turns a pale yellow and becomes fragrant. No food processor? Finely mince the zest and mix with sugar in a bowl.

Step 5: Create Lemon Filling

• Lemon zest sugar
• Flour
• Eggs
• Fresh lemon juice

Whisk ingredients thoroughly until completely blended and smooth.

Step 6: Bake the Lemon Bars

Pour the lemon filling over the warm crust. Bake for 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Step 7: Cool and Chill

Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Refrigerate for 2 hours to set completely.

Step 8: Serve and Garnish

Dust generously with powdered sugar. Slice into bars using a clean, moistened knife. Rinse and re-moisten the knife between each cut for clean, precise edges.

Pro Tips for Alton Brown’s Lemon Bars

• Prioritize Fresh Squeeze: Extract lemon juice directly from ripe lemons moments before mixing to capture maximum citrus flavor and brightness.
• Embrace Imperfect Baking: Slightly wobbly lemon bars straight from the oven will naturally firm up during cooling, so resist the urge to overbake.
• Line with Precision: Create a smooth pan barrier using parchment paper or aluminum foil, ensuring effortless bar removal and clean cutting.
• Chill for Perfection: Allow bars to rest and set completely in the refrigerator, which helps develop rich texture and intense lemon essence.
• Temperature Matters: Let ingredients like butter and eggs reach room temperature before mixing to guarantee smoother, more consistent bar consistency.

How to Store Alton Brown’s Lemon Bars

• Airtight Container Method: Store lemon bars in a rigid container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent moisture and odors from seeping in. Choose glass or hard plastic containers that completely seal the dessert, protecting its delicate texture and preventing them from absorbing other refrigerator flavors.
• Layering Technique: Place parchment paper between each bar row to prevent sticking and maintain their pristine appearance. Gently separate layers with wax or parchment paper, ensuring the powdered sugar coating stays intact and bars remain visually appealing.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum flavor. Squeeze out excess air from the bag to reduce potential moisture damage and preserve the bars' delicate texture during long-term storage.

Delicious Twists on Alton Brown’s Lemon Bars

• Citrus Surprise Bars: Swap out lemon for a blend of orange and lime zest, creating a vibrant, tangy flavor profile that adds depth to the classic recipe.
• Berry Bliss Bars: Incorporate fresh raspberries or blueberries into the filling, folding them gently to create pockets of fruity goodness throughout the lemon base.
• Lavender Lemon Dream: Infuse the sugar with dried lavender buds before processing, adding a subtle floral note that complements the bright citrus flavor perfectly.
• Coconut Crunch Bars: Mix shredded coconut into the crust and sprinkle toasted coconut flakes on top for a tropical-inspired texture and nutty undertone.

Tart, Sweet Perfection with Alton Brown’s Lemon Bars

Lemon bars from Alton Brown’s kitchen emerge as sunshine-packed delights that dance between tangy and sweet.

Culinary magic unfolds through carefully balanced ingredients and precise techniques.

Zesty lemon essence whispers promises of refreshing indulgence with each delicate bite.

Pastry chefs and home bakers can master these delightful treats through simple yet strategic steps.

Complex flavors meld seamlessly, creating a dessert that celebrates citrus sophistication.

Your taste buds will celebrate this recipe’s perfect harmony – so snap a picture, share this delectable discovery across social platforms, and let fellow dessert enthusiasts savor the excitement of these spectacular lemon bars.

Alton Brown Lemon Bars Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s lemon bars deliver zesty sunshine on a buttery shortbread crust. Rich custard layers mingle with bright citrus, creating a perfect balance of sweet and tangy that delights desert enthusiasts and invites you to savor each delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
• 3 cups (600g) sugar
• 8 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (240mL) fresh lemon juice

Shortbread Base Ingredients:

• ⅔ cups (66g) powdered sugar
• 12 tablespoons (170g) unsalted butter, melted
• ½ teaspoon salt

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons lemon zest (zest of three lemons)
• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage of the bottom and sides.
2. Whisk together 2 1/2 cups (300 grams) of all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. Incorporate melted butter until a smooth dough forms, optionally adding a splash of vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
3. Evenly distribute the prepared dough across the lined baking pan, creating a uniform base layer. Press gently to create a level surface.
4. Bake the crust for 20 minutes, or until it develops a light golden-brown color and appears set.
5. While the crust bakes, create lemon sugar by combining granulated sugar with fresh lemon zest. Use a food processor to pulse until the sugar turns a pale, vibrant yellow. Alternatively, finely mince the zest and manually mix with sugar in a bowl.
6. In a separate mixing bowl, combine the lemon-infused sugar with the remaining 1/2 cup (60 grams) of flour. Gently mix to ensure even distribution of zest and prevent clumping.
7. Crack eggs into a large bowl and add fresh lemon juice. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and fully incorporated.
8. Pour the lemon filling over the warm crust, ensuring complete and even coverage. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 25 minutes, rotating the pan midway through for consistent cooking.
9. Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for 2 hours to set completely.
10. Once fully chilled, dust the surface generously with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for even coverage.
11. Using a sharp knife moistened with hot water, slice into clean, precise bars. Rinse and clean the knife between each cut to maintain neat edges.

Notes

• Squeeze fresh lemons right before mixing to capture maximum citrusy brightness and natural tang.
• Line your baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil for effortless removal and clean cutting.
• Expect a slightly soft texture when first pulling the bars from the oven – they’ll firm up beautifully during cooling.
• Patience matters most during the chilling process, allowing bars to develop perfect texture and slice cleanly.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 413
• Sugar: 37g
• Sodium: 120mg
• Fat: 30g
• Saturated Fat: 18g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 6g
• Cholesterol: 112mg