Lemon Bars

Here is a great recipe for Ina Garten's lemon bars from her book Barefoot Contessa Parties! Ideas and Recipes for Easy Parties That Are Really Fun. The Barefoot Contessa Parties book is loaded with delicious recipes you will use again and again. These lemon bars are the perfect balance of tart and sweet. I have tried many different recipes for lemon bars but love this one because the filling does not get too chewy or tough. I think you will love them too!

For the Crust:

1/2 pound unsalted butter at room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/8 tsp. kosher salt

For the Filling:

6 extra-large eggs at room temperature

3 cups granulated sugar

2 Tbsp. grated lemon zest (I use much less, about 2 tsp.)

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (you will need about 6 lemons)

1 cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (you can wait to turn the oven on until you have your crust chilling in the fridge if you like)

 

Tip: Don't skip letting your butter come to room temperature, otherwise it will not mix properly when you cream it with the sugar.

 

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer using the paddle attachment until it becomes light and fluffy. 

 

Combine the flour and salt. With the mixer on low speed add the flour/salt until just mixed.

 

Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press into a 9X13X2 baking sheet. Chill (I think about 20 minutes is fine)

 

Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.

 

Zest and juice your lemons.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature. (make sure you let them cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar and giving one a try!) Cut into triangles or squares and dust with sifted confectioner's sugar.

 

Voila!!

Comments

[Carrie]

I love "Lemon Bars"...those look delicious!

Stay Cozy, Carrie

[Jean Tuthill]

Oh Kim, The lemon bars look so good. I need to try these. And your new Du Buh Du doll Sylvie is gorgeous. What fun! I bet the mini flea market was great, I wish they had had them here. My friend lives in NH and she belongs to a miniature group and she makes all kinds of really nice minis for her dollhouse, which she and her hubby built together. Another thing on my list for "someday".

[Hany]

Looks Yummy!!!! Ina is one of my favs.

[HeidiAnn]

Oh, absolute YUM. I LOVE lemon bars, but I believe they contain an addictive substance. They do for me, anyway!

[Christine]

MMMMM!! MY mom use to make these~I haven't had these in years. They would make a great summer evening dessert:)

cute dolls and bears in the above post!
Have a wonderful week:)