Description
Ina Garten’s lemon bars sparkle with zesty citrus and buttery shortbread crust, offering a classic dessert that balances tangy sweetness. Crisp edges and silky filling make one tempting treat you won’t be able to resist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 extra-large eggs (room temperature)
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsps lemon zest (from 4 to 6 lemons)
- 3 cups flour
- ½ pound (227 g) unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 tsp kosher salt
- Confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Crust Foundation: Preheat oven to 350°F and cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the lemon bars.
- Dough Development: Fold flour and salt into the butter mixture, forming a cohesive dough that will serve as the structural foundation for the dessert.
- Pan Preparation: Press dough into a 9×13-inch baking pan, crafting a precise border and establishing an even surface for the filling.
- Initial Baking: Chill the crust briefly, then bake for 15-20 minutes until achieving a golden-brown color, creating a sturdy platform for the lemon layer.
- Filling Creation: Whisk eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour until smooth, generating a vibrant and silky mixture that will transform into the tangy topping.
- Assembly and Final Bake: Pour lemon filling over the partially baked crust, returning to the oven for 30-35 minutes until the filling sets completely and exhibits minimal wobble.
- Cooling and Presentation: Allow bars to cool to room temperature, then slice into elegant portions and dust generously with confectioners’ sugar, creating a visually stunning and delectable dessert.
Notes
- Chill the Crust: Refrigerate the prepared dough for 15-20 minutes to help maintain its structured shape and prevent spreading during baking.
- Zest Matters: Use fresh lemon zest for maximum flavor intensity, ensuring the most vibrant and aromatic citrus notes in your bars.
- Prevent Overbaking: Watch the filling carefully during the last 5 minutes of baking to achieve a perfectly set texture without becoming rubbery or dry.
- Sugar Finishing Touch: Dust confectioners’ sugar just before serving to maintain a crisp, pristine appearance and prevent early absorption into the bars.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 37 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg