Description
Delight in these zesty Lemon Cake Bars, a perfect balance of buttery cake and fresh lemon flavor. Easy to prepare and baked to perfection, they make an ideal treat for spring or any time you crave a refreshing citrus dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Topping
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a smooth texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs one at a time to fully incorporate. Then mix in lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until the batter is well combined and fragrant.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to distribute the leavening agents evenly.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently and mixing just until combined to preserve a tender crumb.
- Spread Batter and Bake: Evenly spread the batter into the prepared baking dish, smoothing the top. Bake for 25–30 minutes until the surface is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake bars cool completely in the pan to firm up. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar if desired, then slice into 16 bars to serve.
Notes
- For an intensified lemon flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract to the batter.
- Store these bars in the refrigerator for freshness; they taste even better chilled.
