Description
Zesty lemon bars with shortbread crust showcase citrusy perfection from Southern California kitchens. Silky custard filling nestles atop buttery crumbled base, inviting sweet-tart lovers to savor each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup (2 sticks/226 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsps lemon zest
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F and coat a baking dish with a thin layer of grease to prevent sticking.
- Combine flour and powdered sugar in a mixing bowl, then incorporate cold butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Firmly press the crumbly mixture into the prepared pan, creating an even, compact shortbread base. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges turn a delicate golden hue.
- While the crust bakes, create the lemon filling by whisking together eggs, granulated sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, zesty lemon zest, flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well-integrated.
- Once the shortbread crust emerges from the oven, immediately pour the vibrant lemon mixture over the hot surface, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the lemon filling sets and appears slightly firm with a gentle jiggle in the center.
- Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature, which helps the filling stabilize and makes cutting easier.
- Once cooled, dust the surface generously with powdered sugar and slice into neat, uniform squares for serving.
Notes
- Prep the baking dish carefully to prevent sticking, using parchment paper with overhanging edges for easy removal.
- Ensure butter is cold when mixing the shortbread crust for the perfect crumbly texture that creates a crisp, melt-in-your-mouth base.
- Zest lemons before juicing to maximize flavor intensity and get the most aromatic citrus notes in your filling.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with almond flour or a gluten-free blend in both the crust and filling to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 200 kcal
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg