With only 6 ingredients, these easy lemon bars will be your new favorite summer treat.
This homemade lemon bar recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and citrusy goodness. With a buttery graham cracker crust and a luscious lemon layer, these bars are sure to satisfy your cravings.
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Easy Lemon Bars Recipe
I have always had a love for sweetened condensed milk and when I found it you can use to make easy and delicious desserts I was all in. I started with my mini key lime pie tarts which are SO good. And now I am loving this twist on a classic.
- Just a few simple ingredients make this delicious dessert.
- The perfect balance of sweet in the lemon layer with a hint of salty in the graham cracker crust.
- This easy lemon bar recipe is perfect as a make-ahead treat that will be the first dessert gone.
- Perfect for picnics, potlucks, parties, or simply as a sweet treat to enjoy at home.
Ingredients
- lemons: freshly squeezed lemon juice provides the best flavor. You will need approxiamtely 2 to 3 lemons. Roll the lemons on the countertop before juicing them to maximize the amount of juice you extract.
- sweetened condensed milk: this rich and creamy ingredient when mixed with lemon juice thickens into the perfect consistency for these squares.
- egg yolks
- graham cracker crust: to make this quicker, use a premade graham cracker crust. When making homemade I like to use salted butter to balance out the sweetness of these bars. You can also use unsalted butter and if desired add a pinch of salt.
You will also need a mixing bowl and an 8 x 8-inch pan.
How to Make Lemon Bars with Sweetened Condensed Milk
Using sweetened condensed milk makes these treats SO easy. Just a quick stir and your filling is ready!
- Prepare your graham cracker crust.
- Mix together your lemon layer. Spread on the graham cracker crust.
- Bake and cool well before cutting to help set.
For an elevated presentation, sprinkle on powdered sugar before serving.
Tips & Tricks
Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The lemon layer just thicken as you mix the sweetened condensed milk with it.
Try substituting the graham cracker crust for a shortbread crust or a pretzel crust.
More Sweet Treats
Microwave Rice Krispies Treats
Easy Lemon Bars
Equipment
- medium mixing bowl
- 8×8 baking pan
Ingredients
Graham Cracker Crust
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ⅓ cup salted butter melted and cooled
- ¼ cup sugar
Lemon Layer
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk 14 oz/414 ml
- ½ cup lemon juice freshly squeezed
- 4 egg yolks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350℉. Line an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together graham cracker crumbs, salted butter, and sugar.
- Press the graham cracker crumb mixture into the prepared baking pan, creating an even layer at the bottom. Bake for 5 minutes.
- In a medium bowl mix together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and egg yolks.
- Spread lemon mixture over graham cracker crust.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until filling has set.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely before cutting into squares..
Louanne Cox
I’m sur going to try. I love the ones you can buy at foodlion sometimes. I don’t care for the ones with the cake bottom though. I love these with the Graham cracker crust…
Ayla O'Neill
I love the graham cracker crust too! I can’t wait for you to try them.