Best 2 Lemon Bars With Brown Butter Shortbread Crust Recipes

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Indulge your taste buds with a delightful treat: Lemon Bars with Brown Butter Shortbread Crust. This classic dessert combines a luscious lemon filling with a buttery, crumbly crust made from browned butter. Our recipe guide offers two variations to satisfy every palate.

For those who prefer a traditional experience, our classic lemon bar recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. The zesty lemon filling is made with fresh lemon juice, sugar, eggs, and butter, resulting in a smooth and tangy filling. Paired with the buttery shortbread crust, this timeless dessert is sure to become a favorite.

If you seek a richer, more decadent option, our brown butter lemon bar recipe is the answer. The browned butter adds a nutty, caramel-like flavor to the crust, elevating the overall taste experience. The combination of the buttery crust and tangy lemon filling creates a symphony of flavors that will leave you craving more.

Both recipes provide step-by-step instructions, ensuring success for bakers of all skill levels. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting, our detailed guide will empower you to create these delectable lemon bars in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and create lasting memories.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

LEMON BARS WITH BROWN-BUTTER SHORTBREAD CRUST



Lemon Bars with Brown-Butter Shortbread Crust image

Brown butter adds a nutty flavor to the crust of these pleasantly tart lemon bars.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Cookie Recipes

Yield Makes 24

Number Of Ingredients 12

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for pan
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
Pinch of salt
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting (optional)
6 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Zest of 1 small lemon, finely grated

Steps:

  • Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan; line baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 3-inch overhang on all sides.
  • Make the crust: In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat until barely browned in color. Remove pan from heat and pour butter into the bowl of an electric mixer, leaving any burned sediment behind. Transfer butter to refrigerator until solidified. When solidified, remove from refrigerator and let soften slightly.
  • Transfer bowl to electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until butter is smooth. Sift flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt into bowl; mix on low speed until combined.
  • Transfer dough to prepared pan and press evenly into bottom of the pan using the back of a measuring cup; it should be about 1/4 inch thick. Transfer to refrigerator; chill until firm, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Transfer baking pan to oven and bake until crust is golden brown, about 20 minutes. If crust appears to be browning unevenly, rotate pan.
  • Make the filling: Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, and salt in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and sugar. Add lemon juice and zest; whisk to dissolve granulated sugar. Add egg mixture to flour mixture and whisk until well combined.
  • When the crust is golden brown, pull out oven rack and evenly pour filling mixture directly over hot crust (if crust has finished baking before filling has been made, return crust to oven for a few minutes so that it is hot). If air bubbles appear on the surface, remove them using a kitchen torch held 4 to 5 inches from the surface, moving in a slow even motion. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees and bake until center is set, 30 to 40 minutes.
  • Remove baking pan from oven and transfer to a wire rack. Let lemon bars cool completely before covering and transferring to refrigerator until chilled.
  • Using a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry, cut lemon bars into twenty-four 2-inch squares and dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving, if desired.

LEMON BARS WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST



Lemon Bars With Shortbread Crust image

These are among my favorite desserts. The Shortbread Crust is simplified by using melted butter. Original Source: Allrecipes.com "Lemon Square Bars" by Ralph. I reduced the white sugar in the topping to about 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 cups. This works well with Meyer Lemons too -- reduce the white sugar in the topping to about 1 1/4 - 1 1/3 Cup as the Meyer Lemon juice is a bit sweeter.

Provided by cupcake

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 1h5m

Yield 12 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup butter, melted
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder (I use Rumford without aluminum)
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
5/8 cup lemon juice

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch pan, making sure you grease the sides of the pan very well.
  • In a medium bowl, stir together 2 cups flour and confectioners' sugar until well-blended. (If the confectioner's sugar is lumpy, sift or push it through a strainer to get the lumps out.).
  • Blend in the melted butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  • Bake this (shortbread crust) in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, or until golden.
  • In a large bowl, beat eggs until light.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together the white sugar, baking powder and 1/4 cup of flour so there will be no flour lumps. Stir the sugar mixture into the eggs.
  • Finally, stir in the lemon juice. Pour over the prepared crust and return to the oven.
  • Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until bars are set. Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 383.4, Fat 17.2, SaturatedFat 10.3, Cholesterol 102.7, Sodium 190, Carbohydrate 54, Fiber 0.7, Sugar 35.2, Protein 4.7

Tips:

  • Use fresh lemons. Fresh lemons will give your lemon bars the best flavor. If you can't find fresh lemons, you can use bottled lemon juice, but be sure to use 100% lemon juice, not a lemon-lime blend.
  • Zest your lemons before you juice them. This will help release the essential oils from the lemon peel, which will give your lemon bars a more intense flavor.
  • Don't overmix the batter. Overmixing the batter will make your lemon bars tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Bake the lemon bars until the center is just set. Overbaking the lemon bars will make them dry. The center of the lemon bars should be slightly jiggly when you take them out of the oven.
  • Let the lemon bars cool completely before cutting them. This will help prevent them from falling apart.

Conclusion:

Lemon bars are a classic dessert that is perfect for any occasion. They're easy to make and always a hit with a crowd. With a few simple tips, you can make lemon bars that are perfectly tart, sweet, and creamy. So next time you're looking for a delicious dessert to make, give lemon bars a try. You won't be disappointed!

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