Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Make the Crust:

• In a mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
• Gradually mix in 2 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon of salt until the dough comes together.
• Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

Bake the Crust:

• Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until it is lightly golden. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-baking.

Prepare the Filling:

• In a large bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs and 1 cup of granulated sugar until well combined.
• Add 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of fresh lemon juice, and the zest of 1 lemon. Mix until smooth and fully combined.

Add the Filling:

• Pour the lemon filling over the baked crust while it is still hot.

Bake Again:

• Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and a light golden color. The edges may puff up slightly.

Cool:

• Remove from the oven and allow the lemon bars to cool in the pan at room temperature for about 1 hour. Then, transfer to the refrigerator to chill completely for at least another hour.

Serve:

• Once chilled, dust the top with powdered sugar before slicing into squares or bars. Serve and enjoy your refreshing lemon bars!