Lemon Bar Recipe
So far this is the best lemon bar recipe that we have come across. A lemon meringue pie in the form of a cookie would be an adequate description.
Ingredients:
Crust:
1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
Cream Cheese Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon lemon extract
Lemon Curd Layer:
4 large egg yolks
1 tablespoon cornstarch
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup water
2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
Topping:
Powder sugar
Hardware:
Whisk
Spatula
Medium bowl
Medium sauce pan
8x8 inch baking pan
Mixer
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Prepare the Crust:
Step 1: Cream butter and sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer set on high.
Step 2: Add vanilla and mix until combined.
Step 3: Add flour and mix at low speed until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Press dough evenly into bottom of an 8x8 inch baking pan. Refrigerate until firm, approximately 30 minutes. Prick crust with fork and bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 5: Cool on rack to room temperature.
Prepare Cream Cheese Filling
Step 1: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth in a medium bowl with electric mixer on high.
Step 2: Add egg and lemon extract and beat on medium speed until smooth. Cover bowl and refrigerate.
Prepare Lemon Layer:
Step 1: Blend the egg yolks with the cornstarch and sugar in a medium nonstick sauce pan.
Step 2: Place over low heat and slowly whisk in water and lemon juice.
Step 3: Increase heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Remove from heat. Add lemon zest and butter and cool for 10 minutes.
Assemble the Bars:
Step 1: Spread chilled cream cheese filling evenly over cooled crust with spatula.
Step 2: Spread lemon layer evenly over cream cheese layer.
Step 3: Place in center of oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden brown.
Step 4: Cool at room temperature, then place in refrigerator for 1 hour before cutting.
Step 5: Dust bars with powdered sugar.
This lemon bar recipe makes about 16 bars.
For more information on baking procedures and hardware used in this recipe see our Baking Tips section.
For more bar cookie recipes look here.
Try these similar recipes.
Lemon Spritz
Lemon Poppy Seed Rounds
Top of Lemon Bar Recipe
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