Easy and Delicious Lemon Lime Bars

These Lemon Lime bars are easy and super tasty. Combining the flavors of lemon and lime in a delicious dessert bar!

Baking Something Different

I love baking, 8 years ago I started a cupcake business from my home that catered birthday parties, events, and so much more. I started baking seriously because I had a lot of time on my hands after having my 2nd son. He was a breeze and so easy to take care of, that he would simply watch while I baked.

What are Lemon Lime Bars?

Lemon Lime Bars are a vibrant and tangy dessert that combines the zesty flavors of lemons and limes in a buttery, crumbly shortbread crust, topped with a luscious citrusy filling. These bars are sweet, slightly tart, and incredibly refreshing, making them perfect for spring and summer gatherings, or whenever you want a burst of citrus delight.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I use bottled lemon and lime juice instead of fresh?
A: Fresh juice is highly recommended for the best flavor, but in a pinch, you can use bottled juice. Just be sure to check that it’s 100% juice without any added sugars or preservatives.

Q: Can I use a different crust instead of shortbread?
A: Yes, you can use a graham cracker or a digestive biscuit crust as an alternative to the shortbread crust.

Q: Can I make these bars gluten-free?
A: Definitely! Replace the all-purpose flour in the crust with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to also check that the other ingredients are gluten-free.

The cool thing about these lemon lime bars is that they are not cake like in texture. They are more chewy which is a nice change from the usual cake texture.

Tips and Tricks

1. Chill Before Cutting: Allow the bars to cool completely and chill them in the refrigerator before cutting. This will help you get clean, sharp edges.
2. Use Zest: Adding both lemon and lime zest to the filling enhances the citrus flavor.
3. Sift the Powdered Sugar: Sift the powdered sugar before adding it to the filling to avoid lumps.

Variations

1. Orange Twist: Add orange juice and zest to the mix for a different citrus dimension.
2. Coconut Lime Bars: Add shredded coconut to the crust and topping for a tropical twist.
3. Herb-Infused: Infuse the citrus filling with fresh herbs like basil or mint for a gourmet touch.

Where to Serve

1. Picnics: These bars are great for outdoor gatherings as they are easy to handle and don’t melt easily.
2. Bridal Showers or Baby Showers: Their refreshing taste and elegant appearance make them a hit at showers.
3. Brunches: Serve them as a sweet option alongside savory dishes.

Storage Tips

1. Refrigerate: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
2. Freeze: You can also freeze the bars by wrapping them individually and storing them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

I love these little treats because they are super simple to make and everyone will love them! They don’t need any extra steps like frosting for a cake, they are simply good by themselves. The fresh flavors alone are totally worth it!

The lemon and the lime zest that is used really brings this recipe to life. One of the keys to this recipe is making sure to blend the butter until it’s a good crumb. If you have ever made biscuits, or even dumplings, you know that blending the butter perfectly is so important for the right type of texture.

Topping Options

1. Whipped Cream: A dollop of whipped cream adds a creamy contrast to the tangy flavors.
2. Fresh Berries: Fresh raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries provide a fruity complement.
3. Mint Leaves: A few mint leaves can be used for garnish, adding a refreshing touch.

What to Serve With These Lemon Lime Dessert Bars

1. Iced Tea or Lemonade: The tangy flavor pairs well with refreshing beverages.
2. Fruit Salad: A light fruit salad complements the citrus flavors.
3. Vanilla Ice Cream: Serving the bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream creates a balance between the creamy and tangy textures.

Note that the food coloring is optional, but I love it because it really makes the bars pop!

These are great for BBQs, parties, birthdays, and so much more. It’s a no fuss treat that everyone will love!

Why This Lemon Lime Bars Recipe Works

This Lemon Lime Bars recipe works because it strikes the perfect balance between sweetness and tartness. The buttery shortbread crust serves as a wonderful base, providing a contrasting texture to the smooth citrus filling. The combination of both lemon and lime juices and zests gives these bars a more complex and rounded citrus flavor compared to using just one type of citrus. They are also very versatile and can be adapted to include other flavors and ingredients.

What are some other delicious lemon recipes to try?

• Easy Lemon Poppyseed Scones Recipe
• Easy Copycat Chick-Fil-A Frosted Lemonade Recipe
• Simple Lemon Muffins Recipe With 4 Ingredients
• The Best Classic Lemon Drop Cocktail Recipe

Yield: 20-24 bars

Amazing and Yummy Lemon Lime Bars

These lemon lime bars are super easy and tasty! Perfect for parties, BBQs or even an at home treat!

Print

Ingredients

• • 2 cups flour + 3 tbsp
• • ½ cup powdered sugar
• • 2 tbsp cornstarch
• • ¼ tsp salt
• • ¾ cup cold butter, cut up
• • 4 eggs
• • 1 ½ cups white sugar
• • 1/3 cup half and half
• • 2 tsp lemon zest
• • 1 tsp lime zest
• • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp lime juice
• • 1 tbsp + 1 tsp lemon juice
• • 1 drop green food color *optional
• • additional lemon and lime zest for topping

Instructions

1. Set oven to 350
2. Line pan with parchement paper.
3. Combine 2 cups flour, cup powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt.
4. Cut in butter until it is a nice crumb.
5. Press dough firmly into parchment lined pan. Bake for 15 minutes.
6. Meanwhile, whisk eggs, sugar, half and half, and 3 tbsp flour.
7. Divide into 2 bowls.
8. Add 1 tsp lemon zest and lemon juice into one bowl and lime juice and food coloring into the other.
9. Pour lemon mixture over hot crust. Bake 10-12 minutes or until set.
10. Carefully pour lime mixture over lemon and bake 10-12 minutes or until set.
11. Cool completely on wire rack.
12. Use parchment paper to lift from pan. Cut into bars.
13. Sift powdered sugar over top

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