This lemon bars recipe is full of zesty goodness! It has layers of fresh lemon curd and lemon-flavored cream cheese so if you love lemon desserts, this is just for you.
How To Make Triple Layer Lemon Bars
Ingredients
For Shortbread Crust:
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup flour
For Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp lemon extract
For Lemon Curd:
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 medium lemons, zest (about 2 tsp) and juice (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 tbsp salted butter, softened
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Making the crust
-
Cream butter and sugar in a medium bowl with an electric mixer set on high speed.
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Add vanilla extract and mix until combined. Add flour and mix at low speed until fully incorporated.
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Press crust evenly into the bottom of an 8-inch square baking pan. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes.
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Prick shortbread crust with a fork and bake for 30 minutes or until crust turns golden brown. Cool on a rack to room temperature.
Making the cream cheese filling
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Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth in a medium bowl with an electric mixer set at high speed.
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Add egg and lemon extract. Beat at medium speed until light and smooth. Cover bowl tightly and refrigerate.
Making the lemon curd
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Blend the egg yolks with the cornstarch and sugar in a medium non-aluminum pan. Place over low heat and slowly whisk in water and lemon juice.
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Increase heat to medium-low and cook, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
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Remove from heat. Mix in lemon zest and butter. Cool for 10 minutes.
Assembling the bars
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Spread chilled cream cheese filling evenly over cooled shortbread crust with a spatula, followed by an even layer of the lemon curd.
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Place the pan in the center of the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the edges begin to turn light golden brown.
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Cool to room temperature on a rack. Refrigerate for 1 hour before cutting into bars. Dust top with confectioners' sugar before serving.
Nutrition
- Sugar: 31g
- :
- Calcium: 37mg
- Calories: 337kcal
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
- Fat: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Iron: 1mg
- Potassium: 74mg
- Protein: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Sodium: 155mg
- Vitamin A: 656IU
- Vitamin C: 10mg
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