Description
These Meyer Lemon Bars with Extra Buttery Shortbread Crust are bursting with citrus flavor and have a simple prep. Enjoy this homemade treat for any gathering.
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 sugar (granulated)
- 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. Grease or line an 8×8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper or spray with cooking spray.
- Prepare the crust: In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, salt, and lemon zest. Stir in melted butter and vanilla until a thick dough forms. Press the dough into the prepared pan, about ¾ inch up the sides. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- While the crust bakes, make the filling: In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, and lemon zest. Add the whisked eggs, fresh lemon juice, and extracts, whisk until smooth.
- Remove the crust from the oven and reduce the temperature to 325°F. Optionally poke shallow holes in the crust with a fork.
- Pour the filling over the warm crust and bake for an additional 20-22 minutes until just set and edges are lightly brown.
- Cool the bars on a wire rack to room temperature. Wrap and refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight for best results.
- Once chilled, slice into bars. Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with lemon slices or zest before serving.
Notes
For a deeper lemon flavor, add more lemon zest to the filling.
These bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Dust with powdered sugar just before serving to keep the topping fresh.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg