With only 6 ingredients, these easy lemon bars will be your new favorite treat.
Sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and egg yolks are stirred together and poured over a graham cracker crust for a treat that can not be resisted. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and tart that everyone loves!
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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. Perfect for a bright dish in the spring, summer, at a holiday gathering, a Sunday.. Anytime really!
- Just a few simple ingredients.
- The perfect balance of sweet and tart.
- This easy lemon bar recipe is perfect as a make-ahead treat.
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.
Lemon bars are traditionally made with a shortbread crust, but I love the hint of salty you get from the graham cracker crust that breaks up the sweetness of the lemon curd layer.
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 just before serving.
Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
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.