Lemon Squares

Lemon Squares is a easy American recipe that serves 6. 150 calories per serving. Recipe by Hervé Cuisine on YouTube.

Prep: 35 min | Cook: 37 min | Total: 1 hr 27 min

Cost: $4.25 total, $0.71 per serving

Ingredients

  • 152 g all-purpose flour (Sift to avoid lumps)
  • 80 g powdered sugar (For the shortbread crust)
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt (Fine salt)
  • 100 g unsalted butter (Cold, cut into cubes)
  • 3 units fresh lemons (To obtain ~150 ml of juice and the zest of one lemon)
  • 175 g granulated sugar (For the lemon cream)
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch (maïzena) (Thickens the cream)
  • 3 units eggs (At room temperature)
  • 20 g powdered sugar (for topping) (Dust before cutting)

Instructions

  1. Mix the dry ingredients and butter

    In a bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, salt, and cold butter cubes. Rub with your fingertips until a homogeneous sandy texture is achieved.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Press the dough into the pan

    Line the square pan with parchment paper. Distribute the dough evenly with your hands, pressing firmly against the bottom and sides.

    Time: PT5M

  3. Bake the shortbread biscuit

    Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 180°C until the biscuit is golden.

    Time: PT20M

    Temperature: 180°C

  4. Press the lemons and collect the zest

    Roll the lemons on the countertop, cut them in half and press to obtain about 150 ml of juice. Zest one lemon before pressing.

    Time: PT5M

  5. Whisk the eggs, sugar and cornstarch

    In a large bowl, whisk the 3 eggs with the sugar (175 g) and cornstarch (2 tablespoons) until the mixture is homogeneous and slightly frothy.

    Time: PT5M

  6. Cook the lemon cream

    Pour the hot lemon juice (previously brought to a boil) in a stream over the egg‑sugar mixture while whisking. Return everything to the saucepan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until thickened.

    Time: PT5M

  7. Pour the cream over the biscuit and smooth

    Remove the biscuit from the oven, let it warm for 5 minutes, then pour the lemon cream over the entire surface. Smooth with a spatula.

    Time: PT5M

  8. Final bake

    Return the pan to the oven and bake for 12 minutes at 180°C to set the cream and lightly brown the top.

    Time: PT12M

    Temperature: 180°C

  9. Dust with powdered sugar and cut

    Allow to cool completely at room temperature (about 2 hours), then place in the refrigerator until firm. Generously dust with powdered sugar and cut into 16 clean squares with a hot knife.

    Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
150
Protein
2 g
Carbohydrates
20 g
Fat
7 g
Fiber
0.5 g

Dietary info: vegetarian, contains citrus, low-carb, low-calorie, very-low-calorie, low-fat

Allergens: gluten, milk, eggs

Last updated: March 17, 2026

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Lemon Squares

Recipe by Hervé Cuisine

Lemon squares with a shortbread texture and lemon cream, inspired by an American dessert. A short, buttery base topped with lemon cream. Perfect for an elegant dessert or a snack.

EasyAmericanServes 6

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
35m
Prep
37m
Cook
10m
Cleanup
1h 22m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$4.25
Total cost
$0.71
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Mix the dry ingredients and butter
  • Bake the shortbread biscuit
  • Cook the lemon cream
  • Final bake

Safety Warnings

  • Handle the hot oven – wear kitchen gloves
  • Boiling lemon juice can splash – add slowly and stir
  • Do not let the cream touch the bottom of the pan to avoid burns

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