Lemon Chess Bars – A Tangy and Buttery Dessert Delight
These Lemon Chess Bars are a perfect blend of tangy citrus flavor and rich, buttery goodness.
With a flaky, homemade crust and a creamy, custard-like filling, this Southern classic is an irresistible treat.
Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply craving something sweet, these bars are guaranteed to satisfy!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into chunks
1 ¼ cups flour
¼ teaspoon salt
3-5 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
4 whole eggs
4 egg yolks
2 cups sugar
2 cups flour
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extrac
½ teaspoon salt
How to Make Lemon Chess Bars
1. Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and adjust the rack to the lowest level. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease with butter or nonstick spray.
2. Make the Crust
In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and butter and pulse until the mixture forms pea-sized chunks. Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough comes together.
Press the dough evenly into the lined baking dish, ensuring it reaches the sides. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Filling
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt until well combined. Add in the egg yolks, whole eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, lemon juice, and lemon zest, whisking until smooth.
Slowly add the melted butter while continuing to whisk, ensuring a creamy consistency.
4. Bake to Perfection
Pour the filling over the prepared crust and transfer the baking dish to the oven. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a golden crust forms on top and the center is set.
5. Cool and Serve
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool on a wire rack before slicing.
For an extra touch of sweetness, lightly dust with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Lemon Chess Bars
Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best flavor.
Chill the crust ingredients for a flakier texture.
Let the bars cool completely before slicing for clean, sharp edges.
These Lemon Chess Bars are the perfect combination of tangy, creamy, and sweet. Serve them as a delightful dessert or an afternoon treat!
Variations
Lemon Coconut Chess Bars
Add 1 cup of shredded coconut to the filling for a tropical twist. The coconut pairs beautifully with the tangy lemon flavor and adds a bit of texture.
Blueberry Lemon Chess Bars
Fold in 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries into the filling before baking. The blueberries will create little bursts of flavor that complement the lemon perfectly.
Lemon Raspberry Chess Bars
For a slightly tart contrast, swirl in ½ cup of raspberry jam or fresh raspberries before baking. The raspberry and lemon combo is a refreshing change.
Ginger Lemon Chess Bars
Add 1 tablespoon of finely grated fresh ginger to the filling for a zesty, spicy flavor that balances the sweet and tangy notes of lemon.
Almond Lemon Chess Bars
Replace the vanilla extract with almond extract for a warm, nutty undertone. You could also sprinkle slivered almonds on top before baking for added texture.
Additional Tips for the Best Lemon Chess Bars
Crust Texture:
For an even flakier crust, use a pastry cutter instead of a food processor when combining the butter with the flour. This gives you a slightly different texture, but the result is still delicious!
Preventing Cracks:
If you want to avoid cracks in the custard filling, bake at a slightly lower temperature (around 325°F or 165°C). This helps ensure the filling sets slowly and evenly.
Chill the Bars:
After cooling to room temperature, refrigerate the bars for at least an hour before slicing. This allows the filling to firm up even more, giving you clean, neat slices.
Sweetness Level:
Adjust the sugar if you prefer a more or less sweet dessert. You can reduce the sugar by up to ½ cup for a less sweet filling, which lets the tangy lemon flavor shine even more.
Make-Ahead Tip:
These bars store beautifully! You can make them up to 2 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen and intensify after a day or two.
Serving Suggestion:
For an extra indulgent touch, serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You could even drizzle some lemon glaze over the top for an additional burst of flavor.
How to Store Lemon Chess Bars
1. Room Temperature (Short Term):
Once completely cooled, store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
2. Refrigerator (Best Option):
For longer freshness, refrigerate the bars in an airtight container or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or foil.
They’ll keep well for up to 5–7 days in the fridge.
Let them sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving for best texture and flavor.
3. Freezer (For Long-Term Storage):
You can freeze Lemon Chess Bars for up to 3 months.
Slice them first and layer with parchment paper between each bar to prevent sticking.
Store in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag.
Thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for a few hours before serving.
Estimated Nutrition per Bar (1 of 16 servings):
Calories: ~330
Total Fat: ~15g
Saturated Fat: ~9g
Cholesterol: ~105mg
Sodium: ~120mg
Total Carbohydrates: ~44g
Sugars: ~26g
Dietary Fiber: ~0.5g
Protein: ~4g
Key Notes:
This estimate assumes full-fat buttermilk and all-purpose flour.
Variations like adding fruit or coconut will slightly increase calories and carbs.
You can reduce sugar or substitute a lower-fat milk alternative to lighten the bars a bit.