Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout
Lemon Raspberry Bars are the perfect summer dessert with a crispy shortbread crust and tangy raspberry filling. After making these many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfect crust is chilling the dough before baking. The warm, fresh-out-of-the-oven bars are irresistible, but they’re even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Keep reading for my best tips or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Sour Cream and Onion Biscuits and Sheet Pan Lemon Herb Chicken and Vegetables.
Why This Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Crispy shortbread crust
- Tangy lemon filling
- Sweet raspberry topping
- Easy to make and perfect for summer cookouts
What You'll Need for Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Lemon
- Raspberries
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Flour
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Optional: Powdered sugar
- Optional: Fresh raspberries
- Optional: Vanilla ice cream
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Lemon: Use fresh lemons for the best flavor.
- Raspberries: Fresh or frozen raspberries work well in this recipe.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Food Processor — Makes quick work of the dough and ensures even crumbs. → See on Amazon
- Silicone Baking Mat — Prevents the bars from sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. → See on Amazon
How to Make Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout
- Prepare the crust: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, vanilla, and flour. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Bake the crust: Press half the dough into a lined baking pan and bake for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Assemble the bars: Spread the filling over the hot crust, sprinkle with raspberries, and crumble the remaining dough on top.
- Bake the bars: Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and set.
- Cool and serve: Cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with fresh raspberries and vanilla ice cream.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overmix the dough or the crust will be tough. If this happens, add a tablespoon of milk to help with rolling.
- Time-saving tip: You can make the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 3 days.
- Make-ahead tip: Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Storing & Reheating Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Make-ahead tip: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Freezing Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout
Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the raspberries with blueberries or strawberries for a different flavor.
- Make-ahead: Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch pan.
- Troubleshooting: If the crust is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.
Want to level up this recipe?
Silicone Spatula — Perfect for spreading the filling and crumbling the topping without damaging the crust. → Check price on Amazon
Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Lemon
- Raspberries
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Flour
Seasonings
- Lemon zest
- Lemon juice
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
Optional Toppings
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh raspberries
- Vanilla ice cream
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, vanilla, and flour. Chill the dough for 30 minutes.
- Bake the crust: Press half the dough into a lined baking pan and bake for 15 minutes.
- Prepare the filling: Whisk together eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
- Assemble the bars: Spread the filling over the hot crust, sprinkle with raspberries, and crumble the remaining dough on top.
- Bake the bars: Bake for 30-35 minutes until golden and set.
- Cool and serve: Cool completely, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with fresh raspberries and vanilla ice cream.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a gluten-free version, substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the raspberries with blueberries or strawberries for a different flavor.
- Make-ahead: Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Scaling: This recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13-inch pan.
- Troubleshooting: If the crust is browning too quickly, tent it with aluminum foil.
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.
- Make ahead: The dough can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 240
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can make them up to 2 days ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature.
This could be due to overbaking. Make sure to check them at the minimum baking time and adjust accordingly.
Yes, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
No, this recipe is not suitable for the air fryer.
You can substitute the raspberries with blueberries or strawberries for a different flavor.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Lemon Raspberry Bars – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
