Lemon Bars Cut Triangles

Featured in: Fun Weekend Treats

Enjoy vibrant lemon bars featuring a rich, buttery shortbread crust and a bright, citrus filling enhanced with freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest. Baked to perfection and cooled before slicing, these bars are cut into elegant triangles making them perfect for sharing. The balance of tartness and sweetness along with a dusting of powdered sugar creates a delightful treat that pairs wonderfully with tea or a glass of Moscato. Preparation is simple and results in a refreshing dessert ideal for any occasion.

Updated on Fri, 12 Dec 2025 09:09:00 GMT
Golden, triangle-shaped lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar, ideal for a sweet afternoon treat. Save
Golden, triangle-shaped lemon bars dusted with powdered sugar, ideal for a sweet afternoon treat. | flavza.com

Bright, tangy lemon bars with a buttery shortbread crust, cut into elegant triangles for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert.

This recipe quickly became a favorite in my family, especially during summer gatherings where the tangy lemon bars bring smiles all around.

Ingredients

  • For the Shortbread Crust: 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • For the Lemon Filling: 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons (15 g) all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/3 cup (80 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons), 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)
  • For Finishing: Powdered sugar, for dusting

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
Step 2:
In a medium bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt for the crust. Add the cold, cubed butter and cut it in with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Step 3:
Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 15 18 minutes, until lightly golden.
Step 4:
Meanwhile, whisk together granulated sugar and eggs in a medium bowl until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Whisk until well combined.
Step 5:
Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust as soon as it comes out of the oven. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 18 20 minutes, or until the filling is set and just barely jiggles in the center.
Step 6:
Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Step 7:
Use the parchment overhang to lift out the bars. Dust with powdered sugar and cut into 8 squares, then cut each square diagonally to make 16 triangles.
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My family loves to enjoy these lemon bars during our weekend tea time, making every moment sweeter and more special.

Required Tools

8-inch (20 cm) square baking pan, mixing bowls, whisk, pastry cutter or fork, parchment paper, sharp knife

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter). If unsure about specific ingredient sources, double-check all labels for allergens.

Nutritional Information

Calories 135, Total Fat 6 g, Carbohydrates 19 g, Protein 1 g per serving

A close-up of vibrant, triangular lemon bars, showcasing a buttery crust and tart filling, perfect for dessert. Pin it
A close-up of vibrant, triangular lemon bars, showcasing a buttery crust and tart filling, perfect for dessert. | flavza.com

These lemon bars are the perfect balance of tart and sweet, making them a delightful treat for any dessert lover.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of crust is used for these lemon bars?

A buttery shortbread crust forms the base, offering a crisp and rich texture that complements the tangy lemon filling.

How is the lemon filling prepared?

The filling combines granulated sugar, eggs, flour, baking powder, salt, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and lemon zest, whisked together until smooth.

Why are the bars cut into triangles?

After baking and cooling, the bars are cut into squares then diagonally sliced to create elegant, easy-to-handle triangles perfect for serving.

Can the flavor be intensified?

Yes, adding a splash of pure lemon extract to the filling enhances the citrus brightness for a more intense lemon taste.

What is the best way to achieve clean slices?

Chilling the bars before slicing helps produce cleaner, neater cuts without crumbling the shortbread crust.

Are there recommended pairings for these bars?

They pair delightfully with Earl Grey tea or a chilled glass of Moscato to balance the tangy citrus flavors.

Lemon Bars Cut Triangles

Tangy lemon bars atop buttery shortbread crust, cut into elegant triangles for a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
35 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes

Category: Fun Weekend Treats

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 servings

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust

01 1 cup all-purpose flour
02 1/4 cup powdered sugar
03 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Lemon Filling

01 1 cup granulated sugar
02 2 large eggs
03 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
04 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
05 1/4 teaspoon salt
06 1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
07 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest (about 1 lemon)

Finishing

01 Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven and prepare pan: Preheat oven to 350°F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.

Step 02

Prepare shortbread crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add cold, cubed butter and cut it in with a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 03

Bake crust: Press mixture firmly and evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 04

Mix lemon filling: Whisk granulated sugar and eggs until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, salt, lemon juice, and lemon zest; whisk until fully combined.

Step 05

Bake filling on crust: Pour lemon filling over hot crust immediately after baking. Return pan to oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until filling is set and slightly jiggles in the center.

Step 06

Cool bars: Remove from oven and cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Step 07

Slice and serve: Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Dust with powdered sugar, cut into 8 squares, then cut each square diagonally to yield 16 triangles.

Tools You'll Need

  • 8-inch square baking pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Pastry cutter or fork
  • Parchment paper
  • Sharp knife

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, and dairy (butter). Verify ingredient sources if allergens are a concern.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 135
  • Total Fat: 6 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 19 g
  • Protein: 1 g