Chef John's Lemon Bars

This is one of my favorite cookies of all time, although technically they’re closer to a pie than a cookie. Nothing prepares you for that intense, awesome sweet-tart lemon flavor and custard, perfectly contrasted against that crisp, sweet buttery shortbread cookie.

Original recipe makes 1 8×8-inch pan

Ingredients

For the shortbread crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the lemon layer:
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar, or to taste

PREP

20 mins
COOK

50 mins
READY IN

1 hr 40 mins

Directions

Place an oven rack into middle position in oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil an 8×8-inch baking dish.
Place 1 cup flour and butter in a mixing bowl and mash with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. Mix in 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; mash mixture together until mixture looks like a slightly crumbly cookie dough.
Moisten your fingers with a little water and press dough into bottom of prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick holes all over the crust.
Bake crust on center rack in the preheated oven until crust edges are barely golden brown, 22 minutes.
Beat eggs and egg yolks together in a bowl; whisk in white sugar and 2 tablespoons flour until smooth. Add lemon juice and lemon zest; whisk for 2 minutes. Pour lemon custard over crust.
Bake on center rack until custard is set and top has a thin white sugary crust, 25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Dip knife into very hot water, run around the edge, and cut into 16 squares. Dust cookies with 1 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar.