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"The tradition of Italian cooking is that of the matriarch. This is the cooking of grandma. She didn't waste time thinking too much about the celery. She got the best celery she could and then she dealt with it."--Mario Batali

Chef John's Lemon Bars Recipe

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This recipe for Chef John's Lemon Bars is from Brian's Cookbook, one of the cookbooks created at FamilyCookbookProject.com. We'll help you start your own personal cookbook! It's easy and fun. Click here to start your own cookbook!


Category:
Category:

Ingredients:  
Ingredients:  
For the shortbread:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

For the lemon layer:
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
1 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 large lemon
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste

Directions:
Directions:
Place an oven rack into middle position in oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly oil an 8x8-inch baking dish.

Zest the lemon into about a tablespoon of zest. Squeeze 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice from lemon and set zest and juice aside.

Place 1 cup flour and butter in a mixing bowl and mash with the back of a spatula or wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. Mix in 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar, vanilla extract, and salt; mash mixture together until mixture looks like a slightly crumbly cookie dough.

Moisten your fingers with a little water or use wax paper and press dough into bottom of prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick holes all over the crust.

Bake crust on center rack in the preheated oven until crust edges are barely golden brown, 22 minutes.

Beat eggs and egg yolks together in a bowl; whisk in white sugar and 2 tablespoons flour until smooth. Add lemon juice and lemon zest; whisk for 2 minutes. Pour lemon custard over crust.

Bake on center rack until custard is set and top has a thin white sugary crust, 25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into bars. Dip knife into very hot water, run around the edge, and cut into 16 squares. Dust cookies with 1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar.

Number Of Servings:
Number Of Servings:
16
Preparation Time:
Preparation Time:
30 min.
Personal Notes:
Personal Notes:
Make sure the butter is very soft (not melted though).

 

 

 

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