This recipe is old but not old fashioned; the Best Lemon Bars never go out of style! Combine a tart lemon curd with a shortbread crust and the result is divine, a family favorite for almost 40 years!
A friend recently requested a copy of my recipe for Lemon Bars so I thought that a good reason to make some for me too, right? There are many recipes online but this is the one I've been using forever; didn't realize how long forever was until I went to get the cookbook and do this post.
It was a gift to me at Christmas from my parents when I had started to show an interest in cooking and baking.
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'The Artist in the Kitchen is a cookbook published in 1977 for the St. Louis Art Museum and put together by the Friends of The St. Louis Art Museum, all recipes are from the personal archives of members and the Museum staff. Not unlike a Junior League cookbook...they are the best recipes from member's personal archives.
I realize that I've got two favorites in this book and how easy they are to find; the pages are pretty evident since they are the only two with butter fingerprints and signs of regular use..I need to try something else don't I?
One recipe is for these Lemon Bars and the other for a delicious Zucchini and Cream Cheese Casserole. It's easy and rich and I have always said I could eat the entire dish of that zucchini!
What makes them the best lemon bars (or squares...same thing!)? Well, there are a million variations but this one has always worked so well for me; I think it's got a bit of extra lemon juice and has been a favorite of friends and family for years so I won't tempt fate by trying another!
I had a darling friend who passed a few years ago who begged me to make them for him occasionally; he's the one who insisted they were THE BEST LEMON BARS! I've also revised the recipe a bit in another post, Luscious Lemon Bars for a Crowd, if you need a dessert that will serve more people.
You'll find the same photos and a similar recipe but I've revised that recipe a bit with more filling so you can stretch this treat to feed more people.
When everyone is looking for the next best thing; I often find more comfort in something vintage, reliable and so delicious.
These Lemon Bars have been a favorite for so long and I never see that changing; so whether you've been making them for years or are ready to take your first plunge; this recipe is simply the BEST!
PIN IT! 'The Best Lemon Bars'
