How to Create a Sweet and Tangy Lemon Bar
When life gives you lemons, don’t just make lemonade—whip up some delightful, sweet, and tangy lemon bars! These refreshing treats are the perfect balance of sharp citrus tang and sugary sweetness, all nestled on a buttery crust that melts in your mouth. Great for picnics, afternoon teas, or a sunny day treat, lemon bars are surprisingly simple to bake. Here’s how to make these irresistible goodies that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust:
– 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
– 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
– A pinch of salt
For the Lemon Filling:
– 2 large eggs
– 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
– 1/3 cup (80ml) fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
– 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional, but it adds a lovely zing)
– Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Let’s Bake!
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare the Pan
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, grab an 8×8-inch (20×20 cm) baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal later on. A little tip: lightly greasing the pan before adding the parchment paper helps it stick in place.
Step 2: Make the Crust
In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Add in the cold, cubed butter. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. You can also do this step using a food processor; just pulse everything together until you achieve the desired texture.
Transfer the crumbly mixture into your prepared pan, pressing it firmly into an even layer at the bottom. Bake this in your preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden. This forms your delicious crust base.
Step 3: Whip Up the Lemon Filling
While the crust is baking, you can prepare the lemon filling. In another bowl, lightly whisk 2 eggs. Add 1 cup of sugar and 2 tablespoons of flour into the eggs and mix until smooth. Stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest (if using) until everything is well combined. The mixture should look bright and cheerful, just like a sunny day!
Step 4: Combine and Bake Again
Once the crust is lightly golden, take it out of the oven. Pour the lemon mixture over the hot crust. This step is important because pouring the filling onto the hot crust helps it begin setting immediately, ensuring a firm and flavorful lemon layer.
Put the pan back in the oven and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and doesn’t jiggle when you give the pan a gentle shake. You’ll notice the top turning a lovely golden color, signalling they’re just about done.
Step 5: Cooling and Cutting
After taking the pan out of the oven, let it cool to room temperature. Then, for best results, chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. This makes cutting into squares or bars a lot easier and cleaner. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block out of the pan onto a cutting board.
Slice it into your desired sizes. For a final touch of prettiness, sift powdered sugar over the top. It not only adds a bit more sweetness but also makes your lemon bars look like they’re dusted with a light snow, making them extra inviting.
Enjoy Your Homemade Lemon Bars!
There you have it—a simple guide to making sweet and tangy lemon bars that are sure to delight. The vibrant lemon flavor, paired with the buttery crust and the sweetness of the sugar, makes for a irresistible combination. These bars are perfect for sharing, but we won’t blame you if you find them too good to give away. So, the next time you find yourself with a bunch of lemons, you know what to do. Happy baking!
