Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars are flavored with lemon zest and topped with crunchy sparkling sugar for a sunny, yummy, easy-to-make treat!
A few weeks ago, the middle child was "Superstar" at school. Lest this requires an explanation, over the course of the year, each first grader has a turn to be class Superstar for one week. The Superstar gets to share a poster with the class full of facts and photos of them. The Superstar's family is invited to eat lunch with him/her. The Superstar's parent(s) visit the classroom one afternoon to read a story. And the Superstar gets to bring a treat of some sort to share with the entire class.
Well, let me just say that after waiting all school year for his turn, my 7-year-old was WAY excited to finally have his moment week in the Superstar sun. And since his favorite desserts have always been lemony, he asked me to whip up some special lemon treats for the occasion.
I thought about making traditional lemon bars, but I was worried they'd be too messy. However, I like doing bars of some sort when baking for a large group, since slapping cookie dough in a pan is a lot faster than forming individual cookies.
I decided to take my ever-popular Chewy Snickerdoodle Bars recipe and see if it would translate to a lemon version. I omitted the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cream of tartar and added lemon juice, lemon zest, and a splash of lemon extract.
And while I've seen other lemon sugar cookie bars that were frosted, I wanted mine to be sugary on top. So I sprinkled the unbaked bars with a combination of granulated sugar and sparkling sugar, for simultaneous coverage and crunch. Then I crossed my fingers and popped 'em in the oven.
(Might I add here that I made a double recipe to have enough bars for all of my son's classmates and teachers -- meaning two 9- by 13-inch pans' worth -- so I really hoped the recipe was going to work on the first try!)
And...drumroll, please...I'm happy to report that my Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars turned out perfect! They're soft, light, and slightly chewy. The flavor is lusciously lemony but not overpowering. And the sugar cookie tops are sweet and crackly and crunchy (←my favorite part).
These were a hit with my son's class and they were a hit with our family at home (because having doubled the recipe, there were enough bars to save a few back for us as well...not by accident). But most importantly, these Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars were a huge hit with the Superstar himself! In fact, I think Mr. Resident Lemon Lover may just have a new favorite bar recipe... 😉
More Lemon Desserts
- Lemon Sugar Baked Donuts
- Lemon Sheet Cake
- The BEST Lemon Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
- Lemon Pound Cake
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure lemon extract, optional
FOR THE TOPPING:
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon sparkling sugar
Instructions
- Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Grease a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with butter (or spray with cooking spray); set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and lemon zest. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to stir butter until creamy. Blend in sugar and beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Mix in the eggs, one at a time, and add the lemon juice, vanilla extract, and lemon extract, if using. Blend until just smooth.
- Mix in the flour mixture until well combined. Spread in an even layer in the prepared pan. Sprinkle the granulated sugar and sparkling sugar evenly over the top of the batter.
- Bake for 22 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (do not overbake). Cool in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into 20 bars.
Notes
Kim
Thanks for this recipe! I had some issues with mine getting done. I baked in the middle of the oven, but left my pizza stones on the other 2 racks beneath, so I'm wondering if that was the problem? They looked golden brown and I tortured my kids by making them wait an hour, then when I cut them, the bottom was undercooked. So I put them back in for another 25-30 minutes and they were definitely brown on top and baked. Any suggestions? We're still eating them and I'd love to try again because---yum!
Samantha Skaggs
Hi Kim! Yes, it's odd that the tops were golden-brown but the bottoms weren't done. So it sounds possible that the pizza stones could have been altering the circulation of heat in the oven? I can't think of any other variable that might have caused that issue. At any rate, I hope these bars turn out perfect if you decide to try them again! 🙂
Carol Wright
Hi Again Samantha,
I have now figured out how to print the recipe with the picture. Sometimes my age (nearly 80) gets the better of me I guess.
Samantha Skaggs
Awww, Carol...you beat me to it! I'm so glad you figured out that at the top of the printable page, there's a little box that says "Recipe Image" which you can check. You aren't letting your age get you down at all! 😉 I'm glad you enjoy my recipes so much, and I hope you'll let me know if you have any other questions. 🙂
Kelly
Could you please tell me whether to use salted or unsalted butter? Thank you!
Samantha Skaggs
I prefer unsalted for most baking. 🙂
Karen
I made these for an Easter dessert. They were lemony delicious; soft and light. This is a keeper and will definitely make them again!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I'm so happy to hear that they were a hit, Karen! 🙂
Lynn Applegate
I just tried these and they are OUTSTANDING!! I am so impressed. I immediately put the recipe into my cookbook! Thank you!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Yay, Lynn...happy to hear you enjoyed these so much! 🙂
Karen White
I have made these 4 times in the last 2 days for work. Love them and they are so easy to make. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Marnie
I made these yesterday to take to a family get together and they were a big hit! They were delicious and I will definitely make them again!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Yay...I'm so glad they were a hit, Marnie! Thanks for taking the time to let me know. 🙂
Judy
Thanks for the recipe. Going to try this week for our friendship group
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Hope it's a hit, Judy! And I love the idea of a friendship group! 🙂
Rosalie
What is sparkling sugar? Can’t wait to try these! Thank you
Samantha Skaggs
It's a very coarse, clear/white sugar that's usually sold by the sprinkles. If you don't have any, you can sprinkle these bars with regular granulated sugar instead. Sparkling sugar just gives a nice extra crunch if you have some. 🙂