Description
These Meyer Lemon Bars with Extra Buttery Shortbread Crust offer a delicious burst of citrus flavor paired with a melt-in-your-mouth crust, perfect for gatherings or a sweet snack!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, replace with flour if omitting)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- pinch of salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
- 3 large eggs, room temperature, whisked
- 1¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
- powdered sugar for dusting
- lemon slices for garnish or lemon zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare an 8×8 inch baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper.
- For the crust, whisk together powdered sugar, flour, salt, and optional lemon zest in a bowl. Mix in the melted butter and vanilla until a thick dough forms. Press this dough into the pan, making a lip up the sides, and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- While the crust is baking, make the filling by whisking together granulated sugar, flour, and lemon zest. Incorporate the eggs, fresh lemon juice, and optional extracts, whisking until smooth.
- After removing the crust from the oven, lower the oven temperature to 325°F. Optionally, poke shallow holes in the crust. Pour the filling over the warm crust.
- Bake again for 20-22 minutes, or until the filling is set and the edges are lightly browned, checking at 18 minutes.
- Let it cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight until fully set.
- Once set, run a knife around the edges, slice into bars, and serve dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with lemon slices or zest.
Notes
For a richer lemon flavor, increase the lemon juice and zest slightly.
Ensure your eggs are at room temperature for the best texture in the filling.
Dusting with powdered sugar before serving adds a lovely sweetness that complements the tartness of the lemons.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 225
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 40mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg