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Citrus Bars (3 Ways!)

Desserts, Food, Sweet
By Emma Chapman

Citrus bars1Summer is the perfect season for citrus! I absolutely adore classic lemon bars—I swear they get better the longer they sit in the refrigerator. They are a delicious and pretty dessert to bring to a summer get together. Here we took a basic lemon bar recipe (adapted from Ina Garten) and adapted it in to three different flavors. Absolutely any citrus could be used for these—next we want to try oranges; or maybe blood oranges if we can find them!

Grapefruit barsLemon, Grapefruit or Lime Bars, makes one square pan (slice them as big or as small as you like).

For the crust you need: 1/2 cup butter (one stick), 1/4 cup sugar, 1 cup flour and a generous pinch of sea salt. Combine all ingredients until crumbly (I pulsed everything in my food processor for a few seconds) then press dough into your greased baking pan. Poke a few holes in the bottom with a fork. Bake at 350 F for 15-18 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool while you prepare the filling.

For the filling you need: 3 eggs, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon citrus zest, 1/2 cup fresh squeezed citrus juice, 1/2 cup flour and powder sugar for dusting the top. Whisk together all ingredients until just combined, pour into prepared baking pan with crust. Bake at 350 F for 30-35 minutes, until the bars have set. Remove from the oven and dust with powdered sugar. 

Lemon barsFor our bars we tried lemons, limes and grapefruit zest and juice. I think lime was my favorite! I've eaten these up to 4 days after they were baked (keeping them in an airtight container in the refrigerator, of course). But they are fabulous from day one as well. 

Lime barsEnjoy! xo. Emma

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