Best 5 Poppy Seed Bars Recipes

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Indulge in the delightful world of poppy seed bars, a classic treat that captivates taste buds with its irresistible combination of flavors and textures. These delectable bars feature a buttery shortbread crust that provides a sturdy base for a layer of sweet and nutty poppy seed filling. The filling is generously topped with a streusel crumb topping, adding an extra layer of irresistible crunch and flavor. This recipe collection offers three tantalizing variations of poppy seed bars: a traditional version, a lemon poppy seed version infused with citrusy zest, and a streusel-topped poppy seed version with an extra layer of crumbly goodness. Whether you prefer a classic taste or crave a burst of citrusy freshness, these poppy seed bars cater to every palate. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and embark on a delightful baking journey that will leave you and your loved ones craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

ALMOND POPPY SEED BARS



Almond Poppy Seed Bars image

These tender squares from Pam Mroz of Rochester, Minnesota have a sweet frosting and generous sprinkling of poppy seeds throughout. "The bars are a snap to whip up, plus they use ingredients I usually have on hand," she notes.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 40m

Yield about 5-1/2 dozen.

Number Of Ingredients 15

3 eggs
2-1/4 cups sugar
1-1/2 cups milk
1 cup canola oil
1-1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1-1/2 teaspoons butter flavoring or additional vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
4-1/2 teaspoons poppy seeds
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons salt
FROSTING:
1/3 cup butter, melted
3 cups confectioners' sugar
3 tablespoons milk

Steps:

  • In a bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, milk, oil, extracts and butter flavoring. Combine the flour, poppy seeds, baking powder and salt; add to the egg mixture and mix just until combined. Spread into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. , Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack., In a bowl, combine the frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Frost bars.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 115 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 78mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 1g protein.

LEMON POPPY-SEED SHORTBREAD BARS



Lemon Poppy-Seed Shortbread Bars image

Categories     Mixer     Dessert     Bake     Lemon     Poppy     Gourmet     Kidney Friendly     Vegetarian     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 7

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar plus additional for sprinkling the bars
1 1/2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • In a bowl with an electric mixer cream the butter with 1/2 cup of the confectioners' sugar and beat the mixture until it is light and fluffy. Beat in the zest and the vanilla, add the poppy seeds, the flour, and the salt, and beat the mixture until it is just combined. Press the mixture evenly into a buttered 8-inch-square baking pan and bake it in the middle of a preheated 300°F. oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until it is pale golden. Let the shortbread cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, cut it into 24 bars, and let the bars cool completely in the pan. Sprinkle the bars with the additional confectioners' sugar.

POPPY SEED-LEMON BARS



Poppy Seed-Lemon Bars image

The bright flavor of lemon combined with poppy seeds really kicks the traditional lemon bar up a notch. They're vibrant, fresh tasting, and pleasantly sweet. I like to use black poppy seeds for a pop of color and just a little more eye appeal.

Provided by lutzflcat

Categories     Desserts     Fruit Dessert Recipes     Lemon Dessert Recipes

Time 1h5m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 13

cooking spray
½ cup butter, softened
¼ cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
1 ½ cups white sugar
3 large eggs
⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, or as needed

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Combine butter and confectioners' sugar in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add flour, salt, and cardamom; mix until just combined. Stir in poppy seeds until evenly distributed. Press dough evenly into the prepared baking dish with floured hands.
  • Bake crust in the preheated oven until edges are just starting to brown, about 18 minutes.
  • While the crust is baking, combine sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until just combined.
  • As soon as the crust comes out of the oven, pour the filling into it and return to the oven.
  • Bake until filling is puffy and lightly browned around the edges, about 30 minutes. Place on a wire rack and cool completely before cutting into 16 squares. Dust lightly with confectioners sugar.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 193.3 calories, Carbohydrate 30.8 g, Cholesterol 50.1 mg, Fat 7.1 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 90.8 mg, Sugar 21.4 g

LEMON POPPY SEED SHORTBREAD BARS



Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Bars image

These bars are buttery rich and not too sweet, with a light lemon flavor. The fresh lemon juice is optional add it in for a stronger lemon flavor. These will be soft when removed from the oven and then harden up. Measure the butter, flour and vanilla exactly for a perfect texture bar.

Provided by Kittencalrecipezazz

Categories     Bar Cookie

Time 40m

Yield 24 cookies

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/2 cup butter, softened (no subs!)
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (addition for sprinkling on bars)
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (I just used the zest from 1 whole lemon)
1 -2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • Set oven to 300°F (set oven rack to middle position).
  • Butter an 8x8-inch glass baking dish.
  • In a bowl using an electric mixer cream the butter with 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
  • Add in zest, lemon juice (if using) and poppy seeds; mix until combined.
  • In a small bowl mix together flour and salt; add to the creamed mixture and mix just until combined.
  • Press the mixture into prepared baking pan.
  • Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until pale golden brown.
  • Let the shortbread cool in the pan on a rack for about 10 minutes.
  • Cut into 24 bars and let the bars cool completely in the pan.
  • Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

LEMON MERINGUE BARS WITH POPPY SEED CRUST



Lemon Meringue Bars With Poppy Seed Crust image

These bars are equal parts puckery lemon curd punctuated with a generous amount of lemon zest, and crisp poppy-seed shortbread - twice baked to avoid a soggy bottom. The bars are finished with a billowy swoop of meringue, made with a bit of cornstarch to help keep it from weeping. Make sure to top the bars with meringue while they are still hot from the oven to help seal the two together.

Provided by Yossy Arefi

Categories     cookies and bars, pies and tarts, dessert

Time 1h

Yield One 9-inch-by-13-inch pan

Number Of Ingredients 19

2 cups/255 grams all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons/75 grams granulated sugar
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup/227 grams unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted and cooled, plus more for greasing the pan
1 3/4 cups/352 grams granulated sugar
4 teaspoons lemon zest
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
5 large eggs
4 egg yolks (reserve the whites for the meringue)
1 cup fresh lemon juice from about 6 lemons
4 egg whites
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/2 cup/101 grams granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt

Steps:

  • To make the crust: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line the bottom and sides of a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking dish with foil, taking care to cover the corners as well. Lightly butter the foil.
  • Whisk the flour, sugar, poppy seeds, cornstarch, lemon zest and salt together. Add the butter and mix until well combined. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake until deep golden brown, about 25 minutes.
  • Just before the crust is finished baking, prepare the filling: Combine sugar and lemon zest in a large bowl. Rub zest into sugar with your fingertips until well combined and fragrant. Add flour and salt. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks, followed by the lemon juice.
  • When the crust is finished baking, turn the oven down to 300 degrees. Pour the filling over the hot crust and return the pan to the oven. Bake until filling is set, but just slightly wiggly in the center, about 23 to 25 more minutes. While the bars are baking, prepare the meringue.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, combine the egg whites and cornstarch. Whip on medium-high speed until the mixture is foamy. With the mixer running, slowly add the sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, and whip until soft peaks form. Add the vanilla and salt and mix briefly to combine.
  • When filling is set, remove pan from the oven and switch the oven to broil. Carefully spoon and spread the meringue over the hot bars, then set it under the broiler until the meringue is deep golden brown, 1 to 3 minutes, depending on the heat of the broiler. Keep a close eye on the meringue during this process. It can go from perfectly golden to scorched in mere moments. Cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips:

  • Use fresh poppy seeds: Fresh poppy seeds have a more intense flavor than old ones. If you can't find fresh poppy seeds, you can toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes to bring out their flavor.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make the bars tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Press the dough firmly into the pan: This will help to prevent the bars from crumbling when you cut them.
  • Bake the bars until they are golden brown: This will ensure that they are cooked through.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting them: This will help to prevent them from falling apart.

Conclusion:

Poppy seed bars are a delicious and easy-to-make treat. They are perfect for any occasion, from a casual get-together to a holiday party. With their sweet and nutty flavor, poppy seed bars are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

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