Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated

In this brief guide, we will address the query, “do lemon bars need to be refrigerated?” We will also discuss what is the shelf life of lemon bars and how you can store them to preserve them for longer.

Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated?

Yes, lemon bars need to be refrigerated. Keeping them at fridge temperature will reduce the rate of bacterial growth, decreasing the chances of foodborne illness. 

Lemon bars are made with eggs, which is a perishable ingredient that MUST be stored in the fridge.

With the summer season, the sweet craving is here to make you try these delicious desserts. Keep reading to find out some other FAQs related to the subject.

What are lemon bars?

Lemon bars are a delicious dessert very popular in the US, it can also be called lemon square. It basically consists of a thin curd, and a lemon curd filling. Trust me when I say you can feel summer when eating lemon bars!

They are thought to be first created in 1962, but an earlier development is still an option. Fun fact, there is a National Lemon Bar Day, and is celebrated each October 15, can you imagine such a thing?

Lemon bars are not hard to make, and you will only need 7 ingredients to do so! Also, keep in mind that lemon bars should be stored in the fridge or freezer, otherwise they will spoil quickly.

What are lemon bars made of?

Lemon bars are the perfect way to enjoy a sweet craving during the summer, and also they are really easy to prepare. The ingredients needed to prepare this dessert are

  • Lemon juice. To add a fresher flavor, use lemon juice freshly squeezed. Some experts even suggest adding a hint of some other citrus fruit juices to create a more complex flavor.
  • Eggs. Eggs are a must for all baked goods, or most of them. They are responsible for the general structure of the bar.
  • Flour. It is used both in the curd and the filling, along with the eggs, these two ingredients are the foundation of your baked dessert.
  • Salt. A pinch of salt is needed to modulate the sweetness and help all flavors merge.
  • Vanilla extract. Vanilla extract is known for adding that little something that changes the whole flavor of your dish. You will not regret using it!
  • Butter. It is used for the outer crust, it will help give that moist silky texture.
  • Sugar. Sugar is a basic in this recipe as it will help sweeten both layers of the desert.

To get the whole recipe of this delicious dessert, visit the site Sally’s

How long do lemon bars last?

Lemon bars do not have a long shelf life, they need to be consumed within a day or two. If not, then they need to be properly stored for the refrigerating or freezing process. Because of the baked nature, lemon bars can spoil real fast.

When left at room temperature, lemon bars should be consumed within 1 to 2 days. If you choose to preserve them for a little longer, refrigerating or freezing are the way. 

When stored in the refrigerator, the half life extends to 1 week, frozen lemon bars can last for up to 3 months.

Nevertheless, you should meet certain recommendations for properly storing your lemon bars in whatever place you have chosen. 

  • For the pantry, do not leave them exposed to the environment, place them inside an airtight container. This will also prevent them from any insects.
  • When stored in the fridge, you will also need an airtight container, place them inside and that is it! Cold temperatures will prevent rapid spoilage.
  • If you have chosen to freeze them, you will first need to wrap them individually with some foil, and then place them inside a freezer bag. Before sealing the bag, make sure you have squeezed out all the air. 

Try to avoid letting lemon bars sit for a long time in your fridge or freezer, the quality will not be the same. If you want to read more about the proper storage of baked goods, click here.

Can you freeze lemon bars?

Freezing lemon bars will let you enjoy their taste for about 4 months, it is important you consume them within this time to avoid quality decay. What you need to do to freeze these baked goods is

  • Flash freeze the lemon bars. Place the bars in a pan and put them in the freezer for about 2 to 3 hours, this will help set the filling.
  • Wrap each bar with foil. This will prevent them absorbing any odor in your freezer.
  • Place the wrapped bars inside a freezer container, squeeze out the air, and seal.

Other FAQs about Lemon that you may be interested in.

3 lemons equal how much juice?

Can I bake lemons

Can lemon meringue pie go in the fridge?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we have addressed the query, “do lemon bars need to be refrigerated?” We have also discussed other queries related to the subject at hand. 

Hope you found this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Citations

https://www.allrecipes.com/article/do-lemon-bars-need-to-be-refrigerated/#:~:text=Lemon%20bars%20should%20be%20stored,41%20and%20153%20degrees%20 F).

https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/How-should-cookies-be-stored

https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-store-lemon-bars/