Prep Time::20 mins
Cook Time::50 mins
Additional Time::30 mins
Total Time:: 1 hr 40 mins
Servings::16
Yield::1 8×8-inch pan
Ingredients
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Shortbread Crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature
¼ cup confectioners' sugar
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
Lemon Custard:
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolks
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest
Garnish:
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste
Directions
Set an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
Make crust: Use the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to mash flour and butter in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Mix in confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt until mixture resembles slightly crumbly cookie dough. Moisten your fingers with a little water and press dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick holes all over crust.
Bake on the middle rack in the preheated oven until edges are barely golden brown, about 22 minutes. Set aside.
Make custard: Beat together eggs and egg yolks in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk in white sugar and flour until smooth. Add lemon juice and zest; whisk for 2 minutes. Pour over warm crust.
Bake on the center rack until custard is set and the top has a thin white sugary crust, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.
Dip a knife into very hot water, then run the blade around the edges and cut into 16 squares. Dust bars with confectioners' sugar.
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Chef’s Note
To add a meringue topping: Whisk 1 egg white in a bowl until it forms a ribbon. Whisk in 1 tablespoon white sugar until mixture holds soft peaks. Spoon meringue into a resealable plastic bag; cut a corner off the bag and squeeze meringue on top of cut bars in a decorative pattern. Brown meringue lightly with a kitchen torch.
Editor's Note:
This is one of our most popular lemon bar recipes of all time — learn more: I Tested Our 5 Most Popular Lemon Bars and Named a Winner.