Meyer Lemon Bars
With sweet lemon filling on top of a buttery crust, these Meyer lemon bars are bright, uplifting, and full of sweet lemon flavor.
Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 35 minutes mins
Cooling Time 1 hour hr
Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins
Servings 9 bars
Calories 327 kcal
For the crust:
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
For the filling:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup Meyer lemon juice
- 4 eggs
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
Crust:
In a bowl, mix the butter, sugar, flour, lemon zest, vanilla extract, and salt.
Use your fingers to work the butter into the mixture until it comes together into a dough.
Line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a uniform crust.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) and bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and set aside.
Filling:
In a bowl, add the eggs, yolks, lemon juice, and sugar, mixing well until well combined.
Add the lemon zest and flour, beating well until you get a smooth, light, lump-free consistency.
Pour the mixture over the pre-baked crust.
Bake for 20 minutes or until the filling is set.
Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
Sprinkle it with powdered sugar before serving.
- Using Meyer Lemons: These lemons are sweeter and less acidic than regular lemons. If using regular lemons, you may want to slightly reduce the amount of juice or add a bit more sugar to balance the acidity.
- For a Crispier Crust: If you prefer a firmer, crunchier base, let the dough chill in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before baking.
- Avoiding a Lumpy Filling: For a smoother texture, strain the filling mixture before pouring it over the crust.
- Cooling Time: It’s crucial to allow the bars to cool completely (ideally in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours) before cutting, as this helps the filling set properly.
- Storage: Store the Meyer Lemon Bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months; just be sure to thaw them in the refrigerator before serving.
- Optional Decoration: Besides powdered sugar, you can add extra lemon zest or even a dollop of whipped cream for a more elegant presentation.
- Gluten-Free Alternative: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour or a gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe celiac-friendly.
- Alternative Sweeteners: If you prefer to avoid refined sugar, you can substitute it with honey or maple syrup in the filling (adjusting the amount to maintain consistency).
Calories: 327kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 5gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 143mgSodium: 112mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 481IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 25mgIron: 1mg