Description
These Meyer Lemon Bars delight with a perfectly buttery shortbread crust and a zesty lemon filling. Simple to prepare, they’re an ideal dessert for gatherings or a sweet treat to enjoy at home.
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 with cooking spray or parchment paper.
- To make the crust, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a bowl. Incorporate melted butter and vanilla, stirring until a dough forms. Press into the bottom of the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- For the filling, whisk together granulated sugar, flour, and lemon zest in another bowl. Blend in eggs, fresh lemon juice, and any extracts until smooth.
- Once the crust is baked, reduce the oven temperature to 325°F and optionally poke shallow holes in the crust with a fork.
- Pour the lemon filling over the warm crust and bake for another 20-22 minutes until set and edges just brown.
- Let cool on a wire rack at room temperature. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours, or overnight, until fully set.
- Slice into bars, dust with powdered sugar, and top with lemon slices or zest before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, be sure to use fresh lemon juice and zest.
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Ensure the bars are fully chilled for the best texture before cutting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 205
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 54mg