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    Home » Baking Basics

    Can you freeze lemon bars? Yes and Here's How

    Published: Jul 18, 2022 · Updated: Jul 15, 2025 by Jennifer Osborn · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Last Updated on July 15, 2025 by Jennifer Osborn

    Can you freeze lemon bars? Yes and the good news is citrus bars freeze really well. 🍋

    plastic container of lemon bars with another container of bars wrapped in wax paper.
    Slice lemon bars and put them on a parchment or wax-paper lined baking sheet. Freeze. Once frozen, wrap the bars in wax paper or plastic wrap then tuck inside a freezer safe container and put back in the freezer.
    Read more: Can you freeze lemon bars? Yes and Here's How
    Jump to:
    • Freezing Lemon Bars
    • How to Freeze Lemon Bars
    • Freezing Already Baked Lemon Bars Successfully
    • Can Lemon Bars Be Frozen After Baking?
    • Can You Freeze Lemon Bars with Powdered Sugar?
    • How long can lemon bars last in the freezer?
    • Thawing Lemon Bars Safely
    • PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER
    • More Baking Help
    • Comments

    Freezing Lemon Bars

    If you’re trying to figure out if a dessert can be frozen, think about its components.

    In the case of lemon bars, those usually entail a shortbread or sugar cookie crust or a graham cracker crust.

    All of those things can be frozen on their own as can lemon filling. 

    So you can also freeze them as a dessert.

    The USDA says that lemon bars can be refrigerated for up to seven days but frozen for far longer.

    Lemon bars can be frozen for two to three months.

    How to freeze cookies from raw dough to baked cookies.

    lemon bar on white plate next to egg shells and lemon zest on blue background.
    Lemon bars are an easy but swoon worthy dessert made in an 8x8 or 9x9 pan. Recipe is easily doubled and baked in a 9x13 pan. And you can freeze lemon bars.l

    Try Lemon Bars with Graham Cracker Crust or Lemon Bar Recipe (Make in One Bowl and perhaps a Lemon Drop Martini (3-Ingredient Recipe with Limoncello) to go with the bars? Or Copycat Panera Lemon Drop Cookies.

    If you're in need of lemon bar recipes, you're in the right place.

    You might also like Lemon Blackberry Cake or Easy Lemon Dessert Recipes.

    Mark your calendars, National Lemon Bar Day is October 15. 🍋

    If you’ve ever cruised the frozen dessert aisle at the grocery store, you might remember seeing boxes of frozen dessert like pie or bars. 

    In fact, Trader Joe’s sells its lemon bars right from the freezer case. 

    Have you ever eaten a frozen lemon bar? I would rank that experience up near nirvana. Frozen lemon squares are so, so good!

    How to Freeze Lemon Bars

    Key to freezing citrus bars is to slice them into individual servings first.

    Slicing bars that are frozen solid can be difficult. 

    And this way, if you have individual frozen lemon bars, you can pull out just what you want to serve.

    • Slice lemon bars and put them on a parchment or wax-paper lined baking sheet.
    • Freeze.
    • Once frozen, wrap the individual bars in wax paper or plastic wrap then tuck inside a freezer safe container.

    Freezing Already Baked Lemon Bars Successfully

    • Slice lemon bars and put them on a parchment or wax-paper lined baking sheet.
    • Freeze.
    • Once frozen, wrap each bar in wax paper or plastic wrap then tuck inside a freezer safe container.

    You can also freeze lemon bars in the baking pan that you’ve used, just be sure to wrap the pan twice, perhaps covering the pan in aluminum foil then sliding that foil-wrapped pan into a large freezer bag.

    pan of lemon bars next to egg shells, butter and lemon.
    Tips for successfully freezing lemon bars.

    Can Lemon Bars Be Frozen After Baking?

    Yes, in fact you could freeze lemon bar mixture but when lemon bars freeze so beautifully, I recommend baking lemon squares and then freezing them.

    You can also freeze brownies that have already been baked.

    Most baked cookies and raw cookie dough can be frozen too.

    Can You Freeze Lemon Bars with Powdered Sugar?

    Yes, you can freeze lemon bars that you've already showered with powdered sugar.

    However, keep in mind, the freezer will "eat" some of the powdered sugar so you'll likely have to dust the bars with additional powdered sugar before serving.

    These containers have great reviews. 

    If you are freezing lemon bars, leave off the powdered sugar, if your recipe calls for it. 

    The powdered sugar will just get absorbed into the lemon filling while it’s in the freezer. 

    Dust thawed lemon bars with powdered sugar once ready to serve.

     

    pile of lemon bars divided by parchment paper squares.
    Yes, even if lemon squares have powdered sugar, they can still be frozen.

    How long can lemon bars last in the freezer?

    Lemon bars will last well in the freezer, if properly wrapped, for up to three months, according to the USDA.

    Use a freezer pen to mark the package with the date you're freezing the bars because you likely won't remember when you put them in the freezer.

    dessert bars in a bed of waxed paper in a plastic resealable container.
    Freeze lemon bars for up to three months.

    Thawing Lemon Bars Safely

    Once you're ready to eat a lemon bar, you should know, frozen lemon bars are delicious. I often eat them straight from the freezer.

    However, if you'd like to thaw the bars first, pull them out of the freezer, leave them in the container and leave in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes.

    Lemon bars are an egg-rich dessert so they shouldn't be left out on a countertop.

    lemon bar with egg shells and butter.
    Tips for freezing homemade lemon squares.

    PIN TO SAVE FOR LATER

    lemon bars cut into squares on a white counter top.
    Don’t let leftover lemon bars go to waste! Learn the best method for freezing lemon bars so they stay fresh and flavorful for months.

    More Baking Help

    Are you new to baking? Check out What Should a Beginner Bake?Baking Cookbooks for Beginners or improve your kitchen prowess with Cookie Baking Tools (Better, Faster Baking).

    Can I Freeze Lemon Zest?

    How to Zest a Lemon

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      Flat Cookies? Avoid These 7 Mistakes
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      How to Zest a Lime the Right Way

    About Jennifer Osborn

    Hi, I help new home bakers spread joy in their families and communities with easy dessert recipes and ideas and baking tips.
    My name is Jennifer Osborn. I'm a newspaper writer by trade.
    Cookie, espresso and vodka are my love language. 😂
    I'm also a young man mom, a yogi, gardener and reader. Currently reading a biography of Emily Dickinson. Email me your questions and comments: jennifer@kitchenserf.com

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    1. Dee says

      April 25, 2025 at 10:16 am

      I’m making 200 lemon bars and I want to freeze them and do I have to individually wrap them before putting them in the freezing container??

      Reply
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    Welcome!

    Hi, my name is Jennifer Osborn. I created Kitchen Serf as a source of dessert ideas for you.

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