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lemonade bars

Buttery shortbread topped with a tangy lemon curd layer. Bright, sweet, and refreshing with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 16
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: classic
Calories: 186

Ingredients
  

  • Shortbread Base
  • 3/4 cup plain flour all purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup rice flour or cornstarch/cornflour
  • 1/2 cup icing sugar / powdered sugar sifted
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 110 g unsalted butter cold, cubed
  • Lemon Curd Topping
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1 cup caster sugar / superfine sugar
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice

Equipment

  • Food processor (or mixing bowl + hands)
  • 8-inch square baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven: Set oven to 180°C/350°F and line your pan with parchment paper.
  2. Step 2: Make the base: Blend flour, rice flour, sugar, salt, and butter until crumbly like sand.
  3. Step 3: Press into pan: Pour mixture into the pan and press firmly into an even layer.
  4. Step 4: Bake base: Bake for 20 minutes until lightly golden. Don’t let it cool after.
  5. Step 5: Make lemon topping: While base bakes, whisk eggs, sugar, flour, lemon zest, and juice until smooth.
  6. Step 6: Pour immediately: Pour lemon mixture over the hot base right out of the oven.
  7. Step 7: Bake again: Bake for another 20 minutes until the top is set but still slightly soft.
  8. Step 8: Cool down: Let it cool at room temp for 1 hour, then chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
  9. Step 9: Slice and serve: Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar if you want that classic look.