Lemon Bars
It’s a good thing citrus season falls in the middle of winter because right about now, I could use a little sunshine (and a good hit of Vitamin C). This recipe is extremely easy to make so if you need to put a little happy in your day, grab a bag of lemons and start baking.
Items used to make this recipe:
(affiliate links)
9x13 commercial cake pan https://amzn.to/3jpHFix
citrus press https://amzn.to/40c5Z8p
citrus juicer https://amzn.to/3DtGu8u
pure vanilla extract (you deserve the good stuff) https://amzn.to/3wHFAS3
non-melting confectioner’s sugar for humid climates https://amzn.to/40a73JT
gluten-free flour https://amzn.to/3Jwrzyw
Lemon Bars
makes one 9x13 cake pan
Ingredients
Shortbread Crust:
1/2 pound (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 cups all purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Filling:
3 cups granulated sugar
1 cup all purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)
6 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Garnish:
confectioner’s sugar (or non-melting conf. sugar) for dusting
Directions
To make the crust:
Preheat oven to 350F and place rack in center position,
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine all the crust ingredients until no traces of dry ingredients remain.
Press dough evenly into bottom of uncoated 9x13 aluminum cake pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, then remove from oven and reserve while you make the filling.
To make the filling:
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour until no lumps remain.
Add the remaining filling ingredients and whisk until smooth.
Pour filling over prebaked crust and return to oven for 30-35 minutes or until the filling is set.
Allow to cool completely in pan (chill if desired) before serving.
To serve:
Just before serving, sprinkle with a layer of confectioner’s sugar, then cut and serve. In humid climates, consider non-melting confectioner’s sugar. Bars are best served the day they’re baked as the shortbread crust will become chewy after that.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can safely be kept at room temperature, but chilling keeps the filling firm and easy to handle.
Notes
This recipe can easily be made gluten free by using gluten-free flour instead of all purpose flour. Substitute equally.
Serve these bars the same day they are baked. You can still eat them a few days later, but the crust will absorb moisture from the lemon filling and become chewy.
Wait until the bars are completely cool before dusting with confectioner’s sugar. If you live in a humid climate, you might prefer dusting with non-melting confectioner’s sugar.