As a self-proclaimed chocoholic and cupcake connoisseur, I don’t need to remind you what my go-to desserts are. For Easter, I thought I’d switch it up a bit and make lemon bars, which I’d never tried. I know. It’s such a classic dessert and I figured it was high time I try my hand at it.
I’ve always turned up my nose at “fruity” desserts and candy, until recently. Don’t feed me fruit salad and call it “dessert.” I was always a Snickers and Reeses gal, never the Twizzlers-chomping, Skittles-eating, Starburst-popping friend. I used to believe that if it wasn’t chocolate, I didn’t want it. Somewhere along the line, I became a convert. Either that, or my sugar addiction just took over my body and it didn’t matter what form the sugar took, so long as it was pumping through my veins.
This is the perfect example of “don’t knock it ‘til you try it.” I loved these lemon bars.
It took me two recipes and three attempts to perfect these luscious treats. I’m not sure why I had such a tough time, since the recipes I tried were not difficult or very involved. If this batch hadn’t worked out, I was done trying. As they say, third time’s a charm. My solution was to double the shortbread crust to make the bars a little sturdier, as well as line the pan with foil for easy removal, which resulted in prettier bars.
Lemon Bars
Slightly adapted from The Nepenthe Cookbook via Eat, Live, Run
Yields 16 bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 2 sticks cold butter
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- additional confectioners sugar for dusting
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350. To make the crust, combine the confectioners sugar, flour and sea salt in a large bowl. Cut in the cold butter and work with your fingers until the mixture resembles cornmeal.
- Press into a greased nine inch pan and bake for 20 minutes, or until golden.
- To make the filling, whisk together the granulated sugar and flour in a bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add the zest and the juice and mix until everything is smooth and combined.
- Pour filling over hot crust and return to oven to bake for another twenty minutes. When done, the filling will no longer jiggle. Let cool completely in the pan before slicing and dusting with powdered sugar.
These bars were thick with an amazing consistency. Despite doubling the crust, the lemon filling was still the dominant layer. The crust was buttery with a nice bite: slightly crumbly, but not hard or soggy. The lemon filling was bright and tangy, with a great balance of sweet and tart. These bars were rich but refreshing.
I think Jenna describes these best when she says, “These are for the serious lemon lover….or the chocoholic looking to branch out.”
Consider me a branched-out chocoholic.
I tend to imagine that I don’t like fruity desserts either. Until I have them, and then I realize that I love all desserts no matter what. these bars look delicious! I’m so glad you kept at it and kept trying new recipes!
These photos are awesome!! The bars look good too
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i am also a chocolate fanatic, but i’m kind of drooling right now over these bars
Beautiful! I don’t really like the taste of lemons but I love the color. These bars are perfect for a little summer get together!
I’m the same, I love chocolate desserts. These lemon bars look delicious and I might be able to eat one, or two
Wow! These lemon bars look amazing.
I have been getting really into lemon recently and have wanted to make a dessert like this. Looks amazing!
These lemon bars look very pretty…wonderful presentation.
yum they look delicious!
I have such a soft spot for lemon bars!
Lemon bars scream summer! I’ve been trying to decide what to make for book club and I think these will be perfect! I love the blues in your pictures, just lovely!
These look fantastic! I have been on the biggest citrus kick lately and these sure fit the bill. Congrats on your first go at lemon bars.
Oh man these look so good! Such a classic summer snack. Glad the citrus didn’t disappoint
I think I’m just an all-around dessert fanatic. I’d claim to be a chocoholic or ice cream addict, but put something fruity like these lemon bars in front of me, and I’ll tell you fruited desserts reign supreme!
You might just make me try lemon bars. I am right in that boat of, if it doesn’t have chocolate it isn’t dessert! There are a couple things I will make the exception for – but lemon has never been one of them. Maybe I will become a convert some day as well.
Oh yum do these lemon bars look soooo good. Lemon bars are one of my absolute favorites!
These look seriously AMAZING!!!!
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I love lemon bars!! Yours look terrific… I love that you doubled up on the shortbread!
Oh I am a sucker for lemon desserts! And I love that you doubled the crust. That buttery shortbread is some amazing stuff
These look absolutely delicious! I made lemon bars a few weeks ago — I absolutely loved them — these look even better though!
Love lemon bars and yours look awesome! Def the perfect dessert for my next BBQ. Yum!
These look amazing! Lemon Bars are one of my go-to summer desserts. I kind of feel like I’m cheating on chocolate with them……
I have always wanted to make these and never have, YET! Your photo caught my attention, nicely done, I am inspired!
Just stunning! My hubby is a huge fan of lemon bars…and I think I’ve found my new go=to recipe!
yum! lemon bars are never my first pick but i recently made them and converted as well. then last night i made pink lemonade bars that i am DYING to go home and try
I love lemon bars so much! They are such an excellent summer dessert!
These are Craig’s favorite. He LOVES anything lemon. I just think he’s odd
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I love lemon bars too…but I think I love your pretzel balls more. (AWESOME wedding present
I’m making these for him tomorrow because he is out of town right now & gets back tomorrow- & I think he’ll be very surprised when he gets back!
@natalie (the sweets life), Ooooh, can’t wait for that post!
@Elyse @The Cultural Dish, They are AMAZING!
@Holly, You will love them!
@Tiffany, Thanks- they are really easy, despite my failed attempts!
@Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels, Thanks! I am a convert!
These lemon bars look great. Beautiful photos too!
@Lindsey@Lindselicious, Thanks!
@Liz (Little Bitty Bakes), I’m a sugar fanatic, too!!!
@Feast on the Cheap, Def a classic!
@Heather @ girlyeverafter, They do scream summer!
@purabi naha, Thank you!
@Lindsey, Thanks, Lindsay!