Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Lemon Squares

Teresa Ambra

Lemon Squares have always been one of our family’s favorite cookie recipes. They are chewy, crunchy, lemony, sweet and tart at the same time! For years and years I would make a double batch of these spectacular bars and put them in a 9×13″ baking pan. That meant we always had twice the deliciousness!

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Lemon Squares are best made with a 10×15″ cookie sheet (with edges) if you’re going to make the double batch. That’s what I’ve done here. I’ve never been one to make a little bitty 9×9″ pan of any kind of baked goods. No, my sweet tooth would never allow such a chintzy amount of any sweet goodie! I would always double any recipe so we had plenty. I still do that today.

Additionally, these delicious cookies, so loaded with lemon flavor, have always been my youngest son’s favorite cookies. I baked these a lot for the kids when they were growing up. Mainly because the recipe was so easy to make and SO inexpensive.  I used to make these particular cookies almost every year for our Christmas Cookie Extravaganza.

After my kids grew up and moved out of the house, Jordan always expected these tasty treats to be in his popcorn-sized Christmas tin! A couple of years ago when I left them out, I got this message on the phone, “Hey, Mom, where are the Lemon Squares? I can’t find any!!!!” “Uh, yeah, well, I wanted to try some new recipes so I left them out this year.” “Oh, man. They’re my favorites.” 🙁 The following year, however, I made sure Lemon Squares made the cut. Last year, though, I left them out again. I substituted another luscious Lemon Coconut Pecan Cookie in its place! “What, no Lemon Squares, you say???” Yikes.

Thankfully, neither of my children have my horrendous sweet tooth. My pediatrician told me when they were born not to give them anything sweet until they were two-years-old. Except for birthday cakes I really stuck to that rule. As a result, neither of them developed a strong desire for sweets at a young age. Now, years later, neither of my boys care all that much for sweets. (I wish my mom had practiced such discipline with me growing up!)

I baked ALL the time when the boys were little. Yet, they would eat one piece of whatever I made (even if it was 3-4 dozen cookies). And that was that! I would end up eating all the rest! It’s a miracle I didn’t weigh 200-300 lbs. considering the way I ate back then. But there are a few desserts the boys would eat on occasion and this has always been one of my youngest’s favorites. The interesting thing about this? I never realized it was his favorite cookie until long after he moved away for college!

I got the recipe from Pat Whitfield, who was our church cook back in the early 1980s. We were members of First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks in Largo, Florida. Pat used to make these quite frequently for the dessert at our church suppers on Wednesday nights.

Pat always cut her bars quite a bit larger than I’ve cut mine, so we got a double or triple dose of luscious lemony flavor. Pat’s main job was as a school cook in the Pinellas County School System. Eventually she became a full-time cook at our church. It grew to thousands of people and we were always having food for some event or other. I collected many of Pat’s fabulous recipes. I think of her fondly every time I make one of them–like these fabulous Lemon Squares.

If you like simple, if you like lemon, if you like sweet and tart, if you like ooey, gooey textures in cookies, you will LOVE these delightful Lemon Squares. The recipe’s been around for decades and I have no idea who originated it. These bars are so fantastic, I think your family will enjoy these wonderful treats almost as much as ours do. Drool, baby, drool!

I recently remade Lemon Squares (November 2014) for our Christmas Cookie Extravaganza 2014. My son kept begging me for some. I wasn’t planning on remaking these, but since I did, I updated the pictures as well. Enjoy.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Lemon Squares are a family favorite!

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Lemon Squares are a delightful bar-type cookie that are nice and chewy. They have always been one of our family’s favorite cookie desserts. These cookies are not only pretty to look at, they are marvelous on the taste buds.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Take a platter of these dessert bars to your next tailgating party and they will be gone in short order! Lemon Squares have an ooey-gooey lemony filling that is incredibly rich.

Here’s what I did.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

I used these ingredients.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Melt butter in medium mixing bowl. Add UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour. Bleached flour toughens baked goods. Add powdered sugar.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Stir ingredients to combine. The mixture will be rather crumbly.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Spray a 10×15″ baking dish with cooking spray. Carefully fit the mixture into the pan building up a 1/2″ border-edge along the sides. Bake at 350 for about 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Meanwhile, make lemony filling: In a large mixing bowl, break four eggs. Add sugar, baking powder, salt and grated lemon peel or lemon zest. Add lemon juice. If you have a lot of lemons, use fresh lemon juice.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Whisk ingredients until smooth.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

After baking 18-20 minutes, remove crust layer from oven.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

 Spread the lemon filling over top of the crust and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until either a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or when no imprint remains when lightly touched in center.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Here the Lemon Squares are baked. Cool completely.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar. Because these bars are so gooey in the center, I usually refrigerate them 30-60 minutes before cutting into bars. Cut into 32 bars.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Lemon Squares are a delicious cookie you’re whole family will enjoy. I warn you in advance, these cookies are addictive.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Don’t Lemon Squares look wonderful? Garnish the Lemon Squares with lemon zest if desired, but they taste equally fine without any garnish.

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

If you enjoy the taste of lemon in your baked goods, you will absolutely rave over these tasty jewels.

Here’s the recipe.

LEMON SQUARES

(Adapted recipe from Pat Whitfield, cook at First Baptist Church, Indian Rocks, Florida)

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Lemon Squares

Teresa Ambra
Lemon Squares are incredibly rich, sweet, lemony and decadent. Every bite is deliciously mouthwatering. These luscious lemony bars have been a traditional family favorite and have been on our regular holiday baking list for years. These ooey, gooey cookies are festive, beautiful and perfect for company or Christmas parties. Delight your family and friends with a batch of these wonderful treats today!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 32
Calories 163 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 10x15" glass baking dish
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 spatula
  • 1 lemon zester or grater

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened or melted
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 4 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 4 tsp. emon peel grated l
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar for garnish
  • 1 tbsp. lemon zest grated for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

  • Mix flour, butter and confectioners’ sugar.
  • Press into sprayed 10x15” baking dish, building up a ½” edge.
  • Bake about 18-20 minutes, until lightly browned.
  • Meanwhile, beat eggs, sugar, salt, baking powder, lemon peel and lemon juice about 3 minutes with an electric mixer until mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Pour over hot crust.
  • Bake about 25 minutes longer, or until no imprint remains when touched lightly in center.
  • Cool completely.
  • Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.
  • Refrigerate about an hour before cutting into bars.
  • Sprinkle each with grated lemon zest, if desired.

Notes

NOTE: It is easier to cut these bars into serving pieces if you refrigerate or freeze them about an hour first. They are too gooey otherwise.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 56mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 212IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cookie, dessert, lemon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Lemon Squares[/b]
Recipe Type: Cookies, Brownies and Bars
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from Pat Whitfield, cook at First Baptist Church Indian Rocks, Largo, FL, circa 1980s
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 32
Luscious lemony bars with a tasty crust, gooey centers, and powdered sugar sprinkled on top. A traditional favorite that’s great for holiday baking.
Ingredients
  • 3 cups [url href=”http://www.goldmedalflour.com/” target=”_blank” title=”gold medal flour”]Gold Medal [/url]UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour (bleached flour toughens baked goods)
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 4 tbsp.[url href=”http://www.drpeppersnapplegroup.com/brands/realemon/” target=”_blank” title=”realemon juice”]ReaLemon[/url] juice
  • 4 tsp. grated lemon peel
  • Powdered sugar for garnish
  • Grated lemon zest, for garnish if desired
Instructions
  1. Mix flour, butter and confectioners’ sugar.
  2. Press into sprayed 10×15” baking dish, building up a ½” edge.
  3. Bake about 18-20 minutes, until lightly browned.
  4. Beat eggs, sugar, salt, baking powder, lemon peel and lemon juice about 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.
  5. Pour over hot crust.
  6. Bake about 25 minutes longer, or until no imprint remains when touched lightly in center.
  7. Cool completely.
  8. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.
  9. Cut into bars.
  10. Sprinkle each with grated lemon zest, if desired.
Notes
You may have to refrigerate or freeze the bars before cutting them as these are pretty gooey otherwise.
Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

These luscious bars have always been my younger son’s favorite cookies. They are yummy!

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

If you’re looking for a quick and easy dessert recipe, Lemon Squares sure fits the bill. We have made these for many years in the Christmas baskets we give away to family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors each year. 

Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Time to toss some of these in your cookie jar!

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English Lemon Shortbread Strips

English Lemon Shortbread Strips | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these amazing #lemon bars have a lemony icing to die for. They're terrific for #holiday parties, #Christmas #cookie exchanges or #tailgating. #dessert

Cranberry Lemon Sandwiches

Cranberry Lemon Sandwiches | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these fantastic #cookies are perfect for the #holidays. They use #craisins & #lemon zest. The icing is heavenly. #dessert

Lemon Coconut Pecan Cookies

Lemon Coconut Pecan Cookies | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | these lovely sugar #cookies are filled with #lemon zest, #coconut & #pecans. Great for #holidays or #tailgating. #dessert
Lemon Squares | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this ooey, gooey, lemony, decadent #dessert has always been my son's favorite #cookie #recipe. We've always loved making them for the #Christmas #holidays. This easy & economical dessert will have you drooling from the first bite! #lemon #LemonSquares #LemonDessert #HolidayDessert

Lemon Squares

Teresa Ambra
Lemon Squares are incredibly rich, sweet, lemony and decadent. Every bite is deliciously mouthwatering. These luscious lemony bars have been a traditional family favorite and have been on our regular holiday baking list for years. These ooey, gooey cookies are festive, beautiful and perfect for company or Christmas parties. Delight your family and friends with a batch of these wonderful treats today!
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Cookies, Brownies and Bars, Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 32
Calories 163 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 10×15" glass baking dish
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 spatula
  • 1 lemon zester or grater

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups UNBLEACHED all-purpose flour bleached flour toughens baked goods
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened or melted
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 4 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 4 tsp. emon peel grated l
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar for garnish
  • 1 tbsp. lemon zest grated for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

  • Mix flour, butter and confectioners’ sugar.
  • Press into sprayed 10×15” baking dish, building up a ½” edge.
  • Bake about 18-20 minutes, until lightly browned.
  • Meanwhile, beat eggs, sugar, salt, baking powder, lemon peel and lemon juice about 3 minutes with an electric mixer until mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Pour over hot crust.
  • Bake about 25 minutes longer, or until no imprint remains when touched lightly in center.
  • Cool completely.
  • Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.
  • Refrigerate about an hour before cutting into bars.
  • Sprinkle each with grated lemon zest, if desired.

Notes

NOTE: It is easier to cut these bars into serving pieces if you refrigerate or freeze them about an hour first. They are too gooey otherwise.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 2gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 39mgSodium: 56mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 212IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
Keyword cookie, dessert, lemon
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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