Raspberry Lemonade Bars (Printable)

Bright, tangy bars with buttery shortbread crust and luscious raspberry-lemon filling.

# What You'll Need:

→ Shortbread Crust

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Raspberry Lemonade Filling

05 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
06 - 3 large eggs
07 - 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
08 - 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
09 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
10 - 1 cup fresh raspberries
11 - Powdered sugar for dusting

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - Beat softened butter and sugar until creamy. Mix in flour and salt until crumbly dough forms.
03 - Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
04 - Whisk together sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth. Whisk in flour until fully combined.
05 - Gently fold raspberries into the lemon mixture, being careful not to crush them completely.
06 - Pour filling over hot crust immediately after removing from oven.
07 - Return to oven and bake for 20-22 minutes until center is just set and no longer jiggles.
08 - Cool completely in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate at least 2 hours for easier slicing.
09 - Lift from pan using parchment. Dust with powdered sugar, slice into bars, and garnish with extra raspberries if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The buttery shortbread crust balances the bright, tangy filling in a way that keeps people coming back for seconds
  • They can be made ahead and actually taste better after chilling, making them perfect for stress-free entertaining
02 -
  • Pouring the filling over the hot crust is essential it helps the layers bond and prevents a soggy bottom
  • The center should still have a slight wobble when you remove it from the oven, as it will continue to set while cooling
03 -
  • Zest your lemons before juicing them, it is much easier to handle the whole fruit first
  • Room temperature ingredients incorporate more smoothly, so set everything out about 30 minutes before starting

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