One woman's foray into cooking for herself, for her family, and for her friends. It's not always picture-perfect, sometimes a little messy,
but it's always delicious. Join me in exploring new recipes, savoring the "résultats" and learning from the "erreurs".



Monday, April 6, 2009

Pucker Up!

I was never a fan of lemon bars until I came across Ina Garten's recipe. The Barefoot Contessa calls for real lemon juice and the zest. I make sure to only get the yellow part of the lemon peel and leave the white, bitter pith behind. That makes a world of difference. I also love the shortbread crust - I think it really balances out the tartness of the lemon. They're so easy and so good!!

Lemon Bars

For the crust:
1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:
6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
3 cups granulated sugar
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup flour
Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.
Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.


Source: The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook, copyright 1999

11 comments:

Cathy said...

We've got lemon on our minds today, Lori. These bars look oh, so good. And your photo is making my mouth water.

gluten free pammy said...

the bars look great, I love the barefoot contessa!!

Christina Kim said...

I love lemon anything! This looks delicious. And anything by Barefoot Contessa gets a thumbs up from me. I wish I could be her friend on the Hamptons!

Kathleen said...

They look delicious, Lori.

My neighbor is on her show often..now if I could only get him to get me an invite!:)

She actually did a show from his home...

I bet you miss where you lived in NY. It is beautiful there...

I am out near Ina..I used to go to her shop years ago.

Martha said...

Anything of Ina's is good -- and I love how she uses the zest as well as the juice -- and it's real juice!

phanitha said...

These look mouthwatering...

Thibeault's Table said...

Okay Lori it is your fault that I have a craving for lemon bars. Yours look amazing. I'm off the next two days. I just might have to make some.

La Table De Nana said...

Lori I was just talking lemon deseerts with my neighbour..I will send her this one..They look LUSCIOUS!
I just love anything with lemon in it..

Ry @ Sotto Il Monte Vineyards said...

I have lemons all over the place lately. This recipe will be a great way to use some of them up.

a quiet life said...

how can you not love lemon bars! well it must have been the wrong recipes, because now you are a convert! looks super, welcome to the yellow side of life~

best healthy foods said...

I like lemon, and I ever ate lemon cake, but I still like eat fresh lemon or lemon juice compare lemon cake,by the way thanks for your sharing information

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