These sunshine-bright lemon bars use your food processor to make both the shortbread crust and lemon filling in under 2 minutes total processing time. With a buttery base and zesty lemon topping, they're the perfect balance of sweet and tart!

🛒 Ingredients

For the crust (process first):

• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (115g) cold butter, cubed
• Pinch of salt

For the filling (process second):

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 lemons)
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• Powdered sugar for dusting

⚙️ Tools & Safety

• Dough-blade for both crust and filling
• 8x8 inch baking pan
• Parchment paper
• Timer – crucial for motor protection!
• Zester or fine grater

⏱️ Step-by-Step (Under 2 Minutes Processing)

1️⃣ Make Crust (45 seconds)

1. Add flour, sugar, salt to processor
2. Pulse 3 times to combine (10 seconds)
3. Add cold butter cubes
4. Pulse 12-15 times until crumbly (35 seconds)
5. Press into pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes

2️⃣ Make Filling (30 seconds)

1. Process eggs and sugar until smooth (15 seconds)
2. Add flour, lemon juice, zest
3. Pulse 5-6 times until just combined (15 seconds)

3️⃣ Bake & Cool

1. Pour filling over hot crust
2. Bake 20-25 minutes until set
3. Cool completely, then dust with powdered sugar

⚠️ Critical Safety Notes

✅ Crust: 45 seconds total processing
✅ Filling: 30 seconds total processing
✅ 75 seconds combined – well under safety limits
✅ 30-minute cool-down required before next use

🌟 Why This Recipe Works

• Perfect texture – Food processor creates sandy crumbs for tender crust
• Bright lemon flavor – Fresh juice and zest provide vibrant taste
• Classic American dessert – Always popular at bake sales and parties
• Machine-safe – Carefully timed processing sequences

Perfect for:

• Spring and summer gatherings
• Afternoon tea
• Picnics and potlucks
• Holiday cookie trays

💡 Pro Tips

• Cold butter is essential for flaky crust texture
• Fresh lemons provide the best flavor – avoid bottled juice
• Don't overbake – filling should wobble slightly when shaken
• Cool completely before cutting for clean squares