Here’s a delightful dessert recipe for Classic Lemon Bars. These bars offer a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, making them a refreshing treat for any occasion.
Servings: 16 bars
Ingredients:
- For the Crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- A pinch of salt
- For the Lemon Filling:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup lemon juice (about 2 large lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some to overhang for easy removal.
- Make the Crust:
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and a pinch of salt.
- Add the cold cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, blend the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan in an even layer.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven but keep the oven on.
- Prepare the Lemon Filling:
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and 1 cup sugar until smooth.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of flour, lemon juice, and lemon zest until combined.
- Bake the Lemon Bars:
- Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust.
- Return to the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set.
- Cool and Serve:
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack.
- Once cooled, lift out the bars using the overhanging parchment paper.
- Cut into squares and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Tips:
- Ensure your lemon bars are completely cool before cutting into them to get clean slices.
- For an extra lemony kick, increase the zest or add a small amount of pure lemon extract to the filling.
These lemon bars are a classic dessert that’s both easy to make and irresistibly delicious, perfect for summer picnics, afternoon teas, or a sweet treat to brighten any day.