Lemon Pie Bars Recipe (with graham cracker crust)

April 25, 2025

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These straightforward lemon pie bars are fast to make and stuffed with vibrant lemon taste! Made with a buttery graham cracker crust, and a lemon yogurt filling made with Ellenos Yogurt, after which topped with home made whipped cream.

If you already know me by now then you already know I’ve a little bit of a weak point for a lemon dessert. Like my lemon meringue pie, my favourite lemon cookies, or this straightforward lemon pie. This time I made a decision to show my love of lemon into a straightforward bar dessert. As a result of does it get higher than a bar dessert to serve? I believe not.

In contrast to my basic lemon bars made with a shortbread crust I made a decision to go together with a buttery graham cracker crust. The lemon filling is made with Ellenos lemon curd Greek yogurt. Their lemon yogurt is made with actual, handcrafted lemon curd utilizing 100% lemon juice! So this protein-packed Greek yogurt guarantees a mouthful of shiny, citrus bliss.

I added in sweetened condensed milk, and contemporary lemons for sweetness and extra taste. I used each lemon juice and lemon zest within the filling so it actually packs a puckery punch! All you’ll actually need is a very good whisk to make the lemon curd filling.

And naturally, candy whipped cream on prime to provide it the right stability of candy and tart. Mainly the lemon pie squares are the right dessert for any summer time get collectively!

lemon pie bar on a plate with a bite missing

Why This Recipe Works

Simple lemon filling that whisks up in minutes
No mixer wanted (aside from the whipped cream!)
Made in a sq. pan for a straightforward bar dessert to serve company

Components Wanted

Graham crackers – Should you can’t discover any you should utilize vanilla wafer cookies, or digestive biscuits.
Granulated sugar
Unsalted butter
Sweetened condensed milk
Eggs – You’ll solely want egg yolks. Right here is my full tutorial on tips on how to separate entire eggs. You should use the egg whites (like my coconut macaroons) in one other dessert or your morning omelet!
Vanilla extract
Greek yogurt – I used Ellenos lemon curd Greek yogurt for this dessert. You may also simply use their plain Greek yogurt.
Lemons – I used each contemporary lemon juice and lemon zest within the filling.
Heavy whipping cream
Powdered sugar – Or confectioners sugar. Should you don’t have any, then you possibly can strive making a home made powdered sugar.

How To Make Lemon Pie Bars

Make the crust:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180^oC). Line an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper.

In a meals processor, pulse the graham crackers till damaged down into advantageous crumbs. Should you don’t have a meals processor, then you possibly can place the graham crackers in a big plastic bag and smash them into advantageous items with a rolling pin.

Add in sugar and melted butter and pulse to mix till evenly mixed. Combination will resemble moist sand.

sugar and butter added to food processor

Switch the graham cracker crumbs to the ready pan and press the crumbs into the underside of the ready pan in a good layer. Bake for about 10 minutes till golden brown on the perimeters.

Make the filling:

In a big bowl, whisk collectively the sweetened condensed milk, egg yolks and vanilla into a big bowl and whisk till clean.

lemon pie filling ingredients whisked together

Combine in lemon juice, yogurt and lemon zest and blend nicely.

lemon pie filling whisked together in a bowl

Pour the lemon pie filling over the cooled crust and unfold in a good layer. It’s okay if the crust remains to be heat.

lemon pie filling poured over graham cracker crust

Bake for quarter-hour till the filling is simply set. Let cool fully on a wire rack. Cowl and refrigerate for no less than 4 hours or as much as in a single day.

Make the whipped topping:

Place the mixer bowl and whisk attachment into the freezer 10 minutes earlier than utilizing (this helps the heavy cream whip up absolutely).

Place chilly heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla within the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.

Beat on medium excessive velocity till stiff peaks kind, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Take away the bars from the pan, and unfold the whipped cream excessive of the lemon filling earlier than serving. Non-compulsory: Prime with further lemon zest for garnish. Slice and serve. Refrigerate any leftovers.

Recipe Ideas

Don’t pack down the crumbs an excessive amount of. It will make too laborious of a crust.
Use chilly heavy cream. In case your cream is just too heat the whipped cream is not going to whip up absolutely.
Line the baking pan with parchment paper. It will make for simple elimination of the bars so you possibly can simply lower them into squares.
To chop into neat squares you wish to use a metallic knife and after every lower wipe it clear. I wish to dip it in sizzling water first, then wipe it off earlier than every lower so it cuts easily by way of. Don’t drag the knife by way of the bars however press up and down so that you get a clear lower.

Storage Directions

I like to recommend storing these lemon pie bars within the fridge in an hermetic container or lined with plastic wrap. They need to final about 4 days. The crust could soften over time.

I like to recommend freezing with out the whipped cream. Freeze bars, wrapped nicely for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge.

Recipe FAQs

Why did my lemon bars not set?

Be sure you use condensed milk and never evaporated milk. And the filling needs to be set within the edges however nonetheless barely wobbly within the heart.

Can I take advantage of meyer lemons as a substitute?

Sure you possibly can however Meyer lemons are a bit sweeter.

Can I prime these bars with a meringue topping as a substitute?

Sure you could possibly make a candy meringue topping like my lemon meringue pie recipe as a substitute of whipped cream.