Lemon-Lime Bars

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Makes

4 dozen

Updated: Aug. 01, 2023
This easy lime bar recipe is a dessert that will wow your guests. I baked these bars for a luncheon on a hot summer day. A gentleman made his way to the kitchen to compliment the cook who made them. —Holly Wilkins, Lake Elmore, Vermont

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 teaspoons grated lime zest
  • 1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • FILLING:
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1-1/2 cups sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/3 cup lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
  • Confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in lime zest. Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well.
  2. Press into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake just until edges are lightly browned, 13-15 minutes.
  3. Meanwhile, in another large bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Combine flour and baking powder. Gradually add to egg mixture. Stir in lemon juice and zest; beat until frothy. Pour over hot crust.
  4. Bake until light golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Dust with confectioners' sugar. Cut into squares. Store in the refrigerator.

Test Kitchen Tips
  • When zesting lime, remember this tip: The outermost part of a citrus fruit has the most desirable flavor. Be careful not to grate too far down into the peel. The lighter-colored inner part of the peel, the pith, tastes bitter.
  • To soften butter super-quick, partially unwrap the butter (use the wrapped half as a handle to keep your hand clean) and shred it using the largest holes of your box grater. The butter will reduce to a fluffy heap and soften faster. Shredded butter is ready to use in your recipe right away.
  • Hungry for more? These citrus bars have just enough zest.
  • Nutrition Facts

    1 bar: 88 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 60mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.