3-Ingredient Lemon Bars

When you want a homemade dessert that tastes fresh, buttery, and satisfying without a long ingredient list, these 3-Ingredient Lemon Bars are an excellent choice. They combine a crisp, tender crust with a smooth, tangy lemon topping, creating a dessert that feels much more elaborate than it actually is.

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity. With just three main ingredients, you can prepare a bright lemon dessert with minimal measuring, mixing, and cleanup. The finished bars are ideal for afternoon tea, family gatherings, potlucks, bake sales, or simply keeping a sweet treat ready in the refrigerator.

Why You'll Love These Lemon Bars

These lemon bars are especially appealing because they require very little preparation. There is no complicated pastry technique, no special equipment, and no lengthy list of ingredients.

The combination of sweetened condensed milk, fresh lemon juice, and a simple cookie crust creates a wonderful contrast of textures. The crust becomes lightly crisp and buttery, while the lemon filling sets into a creamy, sliceable layer with plenty of citrus flavor.

Fresh lemon juice is particularly important because it gives the bars their characteristic brightness. The natural acidity also works with the condensed milk to create a thick, creamy filling.

Ingredients

For this simple recipe, you'll need:

• 1 package of shortbread cookies or graham crackers, finely crushed

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

• Fresh lemon juice, preferably freshly squeezed

Depending on the type of cookies you use and the size of your baking pan, you may need a small amount of melted butter to help bind a crumb crust. If you're strictly keeping the recipe to three ingredients, choose a crust option that already contains enough fat to hold together when pressed.

Equipment

You don't need much equipment for this recipe:

• 8-inch square baking pan

• Parchment paper

• Mixing bowls

• Measuring cups

• Citrus juicer

• Spatula or spoon

• Sharp knife

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some extra parchment hanging over two sides. This will make it much easier to lift the finished lemon bars from the pan.

Press the parchment firmly into the corners so that it stays relatively flat while you prepare the crust.

Step 2: Make the Crust

Place the cookies or graham crackers into a food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs.

If you don't have a food processor, place the cookies in a sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin or another heavy kitchen utensil.

The crumbs should be fairly fine. Large pieces can make the crust difficult to press together and may cause it to crumble when the bars are sliced.

Transfer the crumbs to a bowl and mix according to the crust option you're using. If your crumbs need additional binding, incorporate the appropriate amount of melted butter.

The finished mixture should resemble damp sand and hold together when squeezed between your fingers.

Step 3: Press the Crust Into the Pan

Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared baking pan.

Use the bottom of a glass, measuring cup, or flat spatula to press the crumbs firmly and evenly across the bottom.

Take your time with this step. A firmly packed crust will produce cleaner slices and provide a sturdy base for the lemon filling.

Bake the crust for approximately 8–10 minutes, just until it becomes lightly golden and fragrant.

Remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly while preparing the filling.

Step 4: Prepare the Lemon Filling

Pour the sweetened condensed milk into a mixing bowl.

Gradually add the freshly squeezed lemon juice while stirring continuously.

As the lemon juice combines with the condensed milk, the mixture will begin to thicken. This happens because the acidity of the lemon juice reacts with the milk proteins.

Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

Taste the filling before pouring it over the crust. If you prefer a stronger lemon flavor, you can use additional lemon juice within the proportions of the recipe.

Step 5: Add the Filling

Pour the lemon mixture over the slightly cooled crust.

Use a spatula to gently spread it from corner to corner, creating an even layer.

Try not to disturb the crust while spreading the filling. A gentle touch will help keep the layers distinct and give the finished bars a clean appearance.

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