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Lemon bars

17/11/2023

Lemon Bars (or “Lemon Squares”) are a typically American dessert, known for its sweet and tangy lemon flavor. Let’s see how we can “Italianize” this dish while keeping its essence but adding a Mediterranean touch.

Ingredients

For the base:

  • 225 g of all-purpose flour
  • 60 g of powdered sugar
  • A pinch of salt
  • 225 g of unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes

For the lemon filling:

  • 4 large eggs
  • 265 g of granulated sugar
  • 120 ml of fresh lemon juice (preferably from Italian lemons, like Sorrento or Amalfi for a more intense flavor)
  • Grated zest of 2 lemons
  • 30 g of all-purpose flour
  • A pinch of salt

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C and line a square baking pan (about 20x20 cm) with parchment paper, letting it overhang on the sides for easier removal of the Lemon Bars later on.

  2. For the base, in a large bowl, mix the flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter and use your hands or a mixer to blend until the mixture is crumbly. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for about 18-20 minutes or until it is lightly golden.

  3. While the base is baking, prepare the filling. In another large bowl, beat the eggs with the granulated sugar. Add the lemon juice and zest, then fold in the flour and salt until the mixture is smooth.

  4. Pour the lemon filling over the hot baked base and return to the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the filling is set.

  5. Allow the Lemon Bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, then use the overhanging parchment paper to lift them onto a cutting board and cut into squares.

  6. Before serving, you can dust with a little powdered sugar to decorate and add extra sweetness.

Curiosity

The origin of Lemon Bars is somewhat murky, but they are thought to have been invented in the United States at the beginning of the 20th century. They became particularly popular in the 1960s, when homemade recipes began to spread in cooking magazines. The Italian version may have a more artisanal and fresh character if you choose local and seasonal ingredients.

Lemon bars