How many calories are in one lemon square?

November 26, 2025 •

3 min read

The average lemon square contains between 100 to over 300 calories, as shown by nutrition trackers. The number of calories in one lemon square depends on factors such as size, ingredients, and preparation method.

Quick Summary

The calories in a lemon square can vary greatly. This article explores factors affecting the nutritional content of homemade, store-bought, and low-calorie lemon squares.

Key Points

Calorie Variation: The number of calories in a lemon square can vary widely, from around 100 to over 300, depending on the recipe and portion size.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought: Homemade lemon squares offer more control over calorie content through ingredient choices, while store-bought options can have a wider range based on brand and serving size.
Key Calorie Contributors: Butter in the crust and sugar in the filling are major contributors to calories, and modifications can lower the count.
Portion Control: Adjusting the size of your lemon square is one of the most effective ways to manage the calorie intake, such as cutting the pan into smaller pieces.
Low-Calorie Options: It is possible to create or find lower-calorie lemon squares by using sugar substitutes and less butter.

Calorie Variation in Lemon Squares

Lemon squares are a popular dessert, but the calorie count can vary. The main reasons for this variation include the ingredients, the size of the square, and how it was made.

Homemade Lemon Squares: Tailoring the Recipe

Making lemon squares at home allows control over ingredients. The main components are the buttery shortbread crust and the lemon curd filling. Each can affect the number of calories.

Crust: A traditional shortbread crust uses butter, flour, and sugar. This can result in around 144 calories per square. A recipe with a richer crust will have more calories. You can use lower-fat butter or less butter to reduce calories.
Filling: The curd filling is made of eggs, sugar, and lemon juice. The amount of sugar impacts the calorie count. Low-calorie versions may use sweetener alternatives to achieve just over 100 calories per bar. Less sugar or a sugar substitute can decrease calories.

Store-Bought Lemon Squares: A Wider Calorie Range

Nutritional information for store-bought lemon squares varies by brand. The size of a "square" is not standardized, so the calorie count can change based on the size.

Mini squares vs. large bakery slices: A mini, 20g lemon square might have 85 calories, while a larger bakery square could have 200-300 calories or more. Some frozen or pre-packaged bars report as high as 390 calories for a single square.
Ingredients list: Commercial bakeries often use different ingredients, which can impact the calorie count. The addition of margarine, high fructose corn syrup, or extra-rich toppings can increase the overall count.

Ingredients and Their Impact on Calories

Several ingredients are the primary contributors to a lemon square's calories. Understanding these can help you make informed choices.

Fats: Butter is essential for the crust and filling. With about 100 calories per tablespoon, more butter increases the fat and calorie content. Recipes often call for a lot of butter, which is why some squares are high in calories.
Sugar: Granulated sugar in the filling and powdered sugar on top add to the calories. A typical recipe may use anywhere from 1/2 to 1 cup of sugar, and each cup adds nearly 800 calories to the batch.
Eggs: While eggs add protein, they are not a major contributor to calories compared to butter and sugar. A large egg contains about 72 calories.
Flour: All-purpose flour provides the structure for the crust and thickens the filling. It adds a number of carbohydrates and calories. Some recipes might use a higher flour-to-butter ratio for a less rich crust, lowering the calorie count.

Calorie Counts Comparison


Type of Lemon Square	Approximate Calories per Square	Key Factors Influencing Calories
Betty Crocker Recipe	~100 calories (based on 16 servings from a 9-inch pan)	Uses a standardized, relatively modest recipe. Serving size is clearly defined.
Cafe Delites Low-Calorie Recipe	~101 calories	Uses less butter and/or artificial sweeteners to significantly reduce caloric load.
Nutritionix Average	~139 calories (medium bar)	Represents a standard recipe from a nutritional database. Size is a key variable.
Krusteaz Box Mix	~140 calories (2-inch bar)	Prepared from a mix, providing consistent results. Size is standardized.
Preppy Kitchen Recipe	~385 calories	A particularly rich recipe, likely with a generous crust and filling, or a larger portion size.
Store-Bought Bakery	~180-390+ calories	Varies widely based on brand, size, and added ingredients like extra sugar or fats.

Making Healthier Choices

If you are concerned about calorie intake, there are ways to enjoy lemon squares in moderation.

Modify Your Recipe: When baking, use less butter in the crust or swap sugar for a calorie-free sweetener. Using a thinner crust and less sugary topping can also help.
Control Portion Sizes: Manage calories by controlling how much you eat. Cutting a pan of lemon bars into smaller squares means each portion has fewer calories. For example, cutting a 9x13 inch pan into 32 small squares instead of 16 larger ones will halve the calories per piece.
Choose Wisely at the Store: If purchasing from a bakery, opt for a smaller piece. For pre-packaged options, read the label. Some companies offer healthier versions with lower calorie counts.

The Bottom Line

The calories in one lemon square depend on the specific recipe and portion size. From a homemade version at just over 100 calories to a bakery square at 400 calories, the range is vast. By paying attention to ingredients and portion size, you can enjoy this treat while staying mindful of your goals.

For more information on estimating calories in baked goods, the USDA FoodData Central website is a helpful resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Homemade lemon squares typically offer more control over calorie content since you can adjust the amount of butter and sugar used. Store-bought squares have a much wider and often higher calorie range due to variations in size and recipe, with some commercial versions reaching over 300 calories per serving.

Yes, you can make low-calorie lemon squares by substituting some of the sugar with a calorie-free sweetener and reducing the amount of butter in the crust. Some low-calorie recipes can bring the count down to around 100 calories per bar.

The highest calorie contributors are typically the butter used for the shortbread crust and the sugar used in both the crust and the lemon curd filling. Other ingredients like eggs and flour add calories but are not the primary drivers of the total count.

Yes, the size of the square is one of the most significant factors in its calorie count. A small, 2-inch square will have far fewer calories than a large, decadent bakery-style slice.

To reduce calories, consider using less butter in the crust or opting for a lower-fat alternative. You can also use a sugar substitute for the filling and dusting, or simply cut your baked bars into smaller portions.

The large difference stems from inconsistent recipe details and serving sizes. Websites often feature recipes with different amounts of butter, sugar, and flour, and they calculate calories based on varying pan sizes and the number of squares cut from them.

A lightened-up recipe might contain around 100 calories per square by using reduced-fat ingredients and sugar substitutes. A traditional, rich recipe could easily push 200 calories or more per square, depending on the butter and sugar content.