Lemon Bars

By melissawelch

Ingredients

• SHORTBREAD:
• 10 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold
• 2 Tbsp powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• LEMON CURD:
• 4 large egg yolks
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 3 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed (about 2 1/2 lemons)
• 4 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tsp lemon zest
• 2 Tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)

Details

Servings 18

Preparation

Step 1

SHORTBREAD
Place rack in middle of oven. Heat oven to 325 degrees.

Take an 8 inch square pan, preferably metal (if using glass lower temp by 25 degrees), and line the bottom and two sides with an 8-inch by 16-inch strip of heavy duty aluminum foil.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the sugars.

In a large bowl, add butter and cream until light and fluffy.

With your fingers, mix in the flour until incorporated. (This will make the crust much more delicate.)

Pat the dough into prepared pan and prick with fork all over.

Bake 30 - 40 minutes or until edges are lightly browned and top is pale golden (do not brown).

Lower oven to 300 degrees.

LEMON CURD
Have a strainer, suspended over a bowl, near the range.

In a heavy noncorrodible saucepan, beat the egg yolks and sugar with wooden spoon until well blended.

Stir in lemon juice, butter and salt. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, for 6 minutes, until thickened (it will thickly coat a wooden spoon but still liquid enough to pour.) The mixture will take on a yellow color. DO NOT BOIL, it will curdle.

When curd has thickened, pour into strainer. Press with back of spoon until only coarse residue remains. Stir in lemon zest.

Pour lemon curd on top of cooked shortbread and return to oven for 10 minutes.

Cool completely on wire rack. Refrigerate the pan for 30 minutes to set completely before cutting. Dust with powdered sugar before serving. (The powered sugar will be absorbed into the curd after several hours, just reapply).

Store in airtight container at room temperature for 3 days, refrigerated 3 weeks, or freeze for 3 months.