Finally, springtime. Its warming up outside, the flowers and trees are in bloom and I’m craving bright and colorful desserts like these delightful lemon bars! I tend to be drawn to foods that have the sweet and savory flare, the combination always leaves me coming back for more! I love these lemon bars because they are not over sweet, just the right amount to balance the tartness from the lemon zest. I think you will find these bars to be irresistible to lemon lovers and non-lemon lovers a like.

lemon bars

Prep and bake time: 60 minutes / Makes 36 bars

Ingredients

2 cup all-purpose flour
plus 3 tablespoons flour set aside
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
3/4 cup butter, unsalted & cubed
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3/4 cup lemon juice, fresh squeezed
1/4 cup half & half
powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare a 13 x 9 baking sheet by lining, greasing and setting aside. In a large bowl stir together the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch and sea salt. Add the butter and beat on a low speed until mixture resembles fine crumbles. Press mixture into prepared baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for about 18 minutes, or until golden in color. Meanwhile, in a medium size bowl beat together the eggs, sugar, flower, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest and half and half. Pour mixture over the crust as soon as it is golden and allow bars to bake another 20 minutes, or until the center is set. Allow to cool, dust with powdered sugar and enjoy. Store in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up-to four days or freeze for later.