Description
These Meyer Lemon Bars with Extra Buttery Shortbread Crust are a sweet treat featuring a buttery crust and zesty lemon filling, perfect for any occasion.
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 square baking pan with parchment paper or cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, mix sugar, flour, salt, and lemon zest for the crust. Add melted butter and vanilla, stirring until a thick dough forms.
- Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan and about ¾ inch up the sides. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on the edges.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the filling by whisking together sugar, flour, and lemon zest. Mix in the eggs, lemon juice, and extracts until smooth.
- After removing the crust from the oven, reduce the temperature to 325°F. Optional: Poke shallow holes in the crust with a fork.
- Pour the filling over the warm crust and bake for 20-22 minutes until just set and lightly browned at the edges.
- Allow to cool at room temperature, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours or overnight.
- Slice and serve with powdered sugar and lemon slices or zest.
Notes
Ensure butter is melted and cooled slightly before mixing with other ingredients for the crust.
Allow the bars to chill in the fridge to set properly before slicing for the best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg