Glazed Lemon Cookie Bars With Poppy Seeds

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These soft and chewy lemon poppy seed bars are so delicious! They have just the right amount of lemon and sugar to create a harmonious balance. 

The texture of these lemon bars is like that of a really moist, soft cookie. The flavor is like a really lemony lemon poppy seed muffin. So we are combining two amazing things into these dessert bars!

These bars are quick to whip up, bake, and serve. There is a little bit of prep and cooling, but the actual active time in this recipe is only about 10-15 minutes. 

Let’s jump into what you’ll need to make these lemon poppyseed cookie bars!

Lemon Poppy Seed Bars Ingredients

The ingredients for these lemon cookie bars are not that different from other cookie bar recipes. However, this recipe includes fresh lemon and poppy seeds to create a fresh, irresistible flavor. 

Here’s what you’ll need to make the bars:

• ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, melted
• 1 ¼ cup white sugar 
• 2 eggs
• 1 lemon (juiced and zested with the juice divided for the glaze)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• ½ tablespoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon baking powder

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for the glaze:

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½  tablespoon lemon juice
• 1-2 tablespoons milk

Ingredient Substitutes

All of the ingredients in this recipe have been measured and tested thoroughly. I wouldn’t recommend any major substitutions. 

Here is what you can do with this recipe if you need to change some things.

Fresh Lemon

Fresh lemon zest and juice is best in this recipe. If you don’t want to zest and squeeze a fresh lemon, you can omit the lemon zest and use store bought lemon juice.

Vanilla Extract

If you don’t have vanilla on hand, almond extract also works great in these bars. I would only use one tablespoon as almond extract is pretty strong. 

Milk

You can use half and half or heavy cream instead of the milk for the glaze in this recipe. You may need to add more or less to achieve the right consistency. So add your milk product slowly for the best result. 

How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Bars

Here are the steps you’ll need to take to enjoy these lemon cookie bars. Although this is a simple recipe, make sure to read through to ensure your bars come out correctly.

Step One

Preheat your oven to 350?. Grease and/or line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper. 

Tip: leave extra parchment paper at the sides of the pan to lift and cut the bars later. 

Step Two

Zest and juice a medium to large lemon. You’ll use about 1.5 tablespoons of the juice in the batter and an additional ½ tablespoon in the glaze. 

You should end up with about 1 tablespoon of zest from the lemon which will go into the batter. 

Step Three

In a large mixing bowl mix together the softened or melted butter, sugar, 1.5 tablespoons of the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. 

You can do this by hand or with a stand or hand mixer. The batter is easily mixed with a wooden spoon, so I choose to mix this recipe by hand. The mixture should be uniform and smooth. 

Step Four

Add in the flour, poppy seeds, cornstarch, and baking powder. Mix the dry ingredients in until they are well combined. Don’t overmix the batter. 

Step Five

Pour the batter into the greased and/or lined baking pan. Bake in the oven at 350? for about 19-23 minutes. 

The edges will turn golden brown when ready. The bars will set more as they cool.  

Step Six

While the bars are baking, you can whip up the glaze. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and lemon juice. Add in the milk as needed to create a thin, glaze consistency. 

Step Seven

When the bars are done in the oven, remove them and let them cool for about 15-20 minutes. Pour the glaze onto the top of the bars and tilt the pan to cover the top evenly.

Place the cookie bars on a cutting surface once cooled and cut them into 3×3 squares (9 total). 

How to Cut Your Bars Neatly

It can be difficult to cut cookie bars evenly and neatly. Especially when they are soft and chewy like these ones. However, there are a few things you can do to help your bars come out even and neat. 

First, measure your bars. Then cut them into thirds with a sharp clean knife. Clean any residue off of your knife before making another cut. 

The bars should be cooled completely before cutting. You can even chill them for a while if you have time before serving them. 

How to Serve Lemon Poppy Seed Cookie Bars

These lemon bars can be served warm, room temperature or chilled. This is a great dessert that can be served by itself along with a cold glass of milk or mug of hot tea. 

The flavor of the bars is versatile and can be served after any dinner. It’s also a great recipe to use for parties and get-togethers. 

How to Store Lemon Poppy Seed Bars

These lemon bars can be stored at room temperature for 1-2 days in an airtight container. Or you can store them for up to 4-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container. 

They are best when eaten within 2-3 days of preparation. You can freeze batches or leftovers for up to around three months if covered and kept in an airtight freezer container. 

You may want to wait to glaze the bars until you’re ready to enjoy them. When you’re ready, remove the bars from the freezer and let them thaw before eating.

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