Description

These Meyer Lemon Bars boast an irresistible flavor with their buttery shortbread crust and zesty lemon filling. Perfect for any occasion, they’re simple to prepare and absolutely delicious, making them a fantastic choice for homemade desserts.

Ingredients

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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

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease or line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or cooking spray.
In a medium bowl, whisk together sugar, flour, salt, and lemon zest for the crust. Add melted butter and vanilla, stirring to form a thick dough.
Press the dough into the prepared pan, about ¾ inch up the sides to create a lip. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
For the filling, while the crust is baking, whisk granulated sugar, flour, and lemon zest. Add whisked eggs, fresh lemon juice, and extracts, whisking until smooth.
Remove the crust from the oven and lower the temperature to 325°F. Optionally, poke shallow holes in the crust with a fork.
Pour the filling over the warm crust. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the filling is just set and the edges are lightly browned.
Cool the lemon bars on a wire rack at room temperature before wrapping and refrigerating for 1-2 hours or overnight.
Slice and serve, dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with lemon slices or zest.

Notes

The lemon bars can be made a day in advance for convenience and flavor development.
For added zing, increase the amount of lemon zest in the filling if desired.
These lemon bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 250
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 60mg