Lemon Bar

By Totlxtc

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• Cream Cheese Filling:
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 large egg 1 teaspoon lemon extract
• Lemon Curd Layer:
• 4 large egg yolks
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
• Topping:
• Powder sugar

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Prepare the Crust:
Step 1: Cream butter and sugar in medium bowl with electric mixer set on high.
Step 2: Add vanilla and mix until combined.
Step 3: Add flour and mix at low speed until fully incorporated.
Step 4: Press dough evenly into bottom of an 8x8 inch baking pan. Refrigerate until firm, approximately 30 minutes. Prick crust with fork and bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 5: Cool on rack to room temperature.
Prepare Cream Cheese Filling
Step 1: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth in a medium bowl with electric mixer on high.
Step 2: Add egg and lemon extract and beat on medium speed until smooth. Cover bowl and refrigerate.
Prepare Lemon Layer:
Step 1: Blend the egg yolks with the cornstarch and sugar in a medium nonstick sauce pan.
Step 2: Place over low heat and slowly whisk in water and lemon juice.
Step 3: Increase heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Step 4: Remove from heat. Add lemon zest and butter and cool for 10 minutes.
Assemble the Bars:
Step 1: Spread chilled cream cheese filling evenly over cooled crust with spatula.
Step 2: Spread lemon layer evenly over cream cheese layer.
Step 3: Place in center of oven and bake for 30-40 minutes or until edges begin to turn golden brown.
Step 4: Cool at room temperature, then place in refrigerator for 1 hour before cutting.
Step 5: Dust bars with powdered sugar.