Lemon Chess Bars are a bright, buttery Southern classic with just the right balance of sweet and tangy. Inspired by traditional chess pie, these bars feature a rich, custardy lemon filling baked over a soft crust and finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar. They’re simple, sunshine-y, and perfect for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you want a dessert that feels both nostalgic and fresh.
This is the kind of recipe that shows up in community cookbooks and handwritten recipe boxes—easy to make, dependable, and always a hit.
Yield and Timing
This recipe makes 12–16 bars.
Prep time is 10 minutes, with 30–35 minutes of baking time.
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 box yellow cake mix
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
For the lemon chess filling:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For finishing:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a bowl, mix the cake mix, melted butter, and egg until a thick dough forms. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar and eggs until smooth. Add the melted butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, flour, and salt, mixing until fully combined.
Carefully pour the lemon mixture over the crust.
Bake for 30–35 minutes, until the center is set and the top is lightly golden. The bars will firm up more as they cool.
Allow to cool completely, then dust generously with powdered sugar before slicing.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Lemon Chess Bars at room temperature or slightly chilled. They’re perfect on their own, but also lovely with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream. Their bright lemon flavor pairs beautifully with coffee or iced tea.
Storage
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days. Dust with additional powdered sugar before serving if needed.
Why These Bars Are a Southern Favorite
Lemon Chess Bars combine everything people love about classic Southern desserts: simple ingredients, easy preparation, and bold flavor. Sweet, tangy, and buttery all at once, they’re the kind of dessert that disappears fast and gets requested often.
If you love old-fashioned lemon desserts with a soft, custardy bite, Lemon Chess Bars deserve a permanent spot in your recipe collection.
Enjoy !!!
