Luscious Lemon Bars for a Crowd (2024)

These Luscious Lemon Bars are the best and perfect for a crowd; this is an updated version of an old favorite with a thicker filling to serve more people. Doesn’t everyone want seconds?

The first recipe I first found for lemon bars was in a community cookbook called ‘The Artist in the Kitchen’ that was published by the St. Louis Art Museum many years ago. I mean like 40 years? At the time I had never had a lemon bar and oh my…I’ve loved them ever since that first time out of the gate. The book remains one of my treasures because of this recipe. Today’s version of these Luscious Lemon Bars For a Crowd simply increases the lemon curd and makes enough for a bigger gathering. I need that a lot!

Over the years I’ve come to realize that this is a widespread recipe and rightly so; easy to prepare and with its buttery shortbread crust and the luscious lemon curd filling; it’s always been a favorite. One of the few desserts that I will make over and over and then over again. I HAVE to have company coming though or I could literally eat the whole tray…and wish I had more too!

My friend Bill, despite being assured that most recipes are very similar has always insisted mine are the best; probably because they are homemade and I’m doing the baking for him.

I also might have increased the lemon a bit in the recipe I use but other than that, both the standard version and this one are derived from that same, old, time honored combination of simple ingredients that result in such perfection. A shortbread crust topped with lemon curd. Nothing fancy; simply delicious.

The only problem I’ve ever had when I made these over the years was there never seemed to be enough. Even if it was just me (kidding, I think). I like to have company over and these are scavenged as if people had been languishing on a desert island and had not eaten in weeks! I love that people love them but I also know it has meant some have not been quick enough on the draw and their dessert plate did not include a lemon bar. OH NO!

In the midst of planning for a late summer barbecue and knowing these would be perfect, I wanted to make more. Not just more pans of them, but more filling which would allow me to cut smaller size pieces.

I did not use a larger pan than my 9″X13″ Baking Pan (affiliate link) for this recipe; I actually didn’t increase the crust either. I simply made more filling so the result is a thicker lemon filling so that the pan can be cut into more pieces from one recipe. I’ve been able to get about 50 bars from this recipe; they might be a tad bit small but with more filling and an expectation that everyone will eat two, they do satisfy…and they satisfy more people!

I love them like this; the focus is so much on the lemon filling I love. Of course you don’t have to make these Best Lemon Bars for a Crowd only for a crowd. Make them for yourself and call me to share; that would work! Or if really in need of a smaller amount; visit the original recipe for lemon bars; it really is quite enough for a family or friends dessert.

Update 2020: There are several nurses in my neighborhood and while Colorado is hanging in there with this virus; we have seen enough people get infected and know that our doctors and nurses are overwhelmed. This was the perfect treat to send with some of them to share with staff because it does make a lot. The last thing I want is to offer up a favorite dessert and have caregivers be left out.

If you’re thinking of doing something similar I heartily recommend this treat; everyone LOVED them!

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