Lemon Bars

Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus extra for dusting
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened but still cool, cut into 1-inch pieces

Lemon Filling:

• 7 large egg yolks
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (4-5 lemons)
• 1/4 cup grated lemon zest
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
• 3 tablespoons heavy cream

Make crust:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9 or 7x11 pan with foil. Push the foil into the corners and up the sides; having a little overhanging foil will help when removing the completed bars. You can spray the sheets with nonstick cooking spray or not (I didn’t and they came out fine).

Combine flour, confectioners’ sugar, and salt with a mixer or by hand until combined. Incorporate the butter and continue to mix the ingredients; until the mixture is pale yellow and resembles crumbs. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and press firmly with your fingers or a spoon into an even layer over the entire pan bottom. Bake the crust until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Make filling:

While the crust is baking, whisk the yolks and whole eggs together in medium saucepan. Add the granulated sugar and whisk until just combined. Add the lemon juice, zest, and salt; whisk until combined.

Add the butter pieces, and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly and registers 170°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 5 minutes.

Immediately pour the curd through a single-mesh stainless steel strainer set over a clean non-reactive bowl. Stir in the heavy cream; pour the curd into the warm crust immediately.

Bake until the filling is shiny and opaque and the center jiggles slightly when shaken, 10 to 15 minutes.

Let cool the finished bars cool completely; about 2 hours, before removing the bars from the pan using the foil, and cut into squares. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.

Makes approximately 16 bars.

Gastronomy Blog Lemon Bars