Perfect Lemon Bars

 Source:  melskitchencafe.com

Sam's Favorite!

PERFECT LEMON BARS

yield: 24 BARS (9X13-INCH PAN)

 

prep time: 20MINUTES MINS

cook time: 40MINUTES MINS

total time: 1HOUR HR

INGREDIENTS

For the Crust (see note for adaptations):

• 1 ¾ cups (249 g) all-purpose flour
• ⅔ cup (76 g) powdered sugar, plus extra to sprinkle on bars
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 12 tablespoons (170 g) butter, 1 1/2 sticks, at cool room temperature, cut into 1-inch pieces

For the Filling (see note for thicker filling):

• 4 large eggs
• 1 ⅓ cups (283 g) granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, from 2 large lemons
• ⅔ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice, from 3 to 4 large lemons
• ⅓ cup milk
• Pinch of salt, about 1/8 teaspoon

INSTRUCTIONS 

• Place an oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease the foil/parchment (optional: it helps with removing the bars after baking, but you can instead grease the pan with nonstick cooking spray).
• Whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt (this can be done in a food processor or in a large bowl by hand). Add the pieces of butter and cut the butter into the dry ingredients using a pastry blender, two knives or your fingers (taking care not to melt the butter too much - you might try freezing the butter and grating it into the dry ingredients on the large holes of a box grater) or process in the food processor for 8 to 10 seconds and then as needed until the mixture resembles coarse meal.
• Sprinkle the mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer on the bottom. Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes. Bake until very lightly golden brown on the edges, about 15-20 minutes.
• For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, salt, and flour in a medium bowl and then stir in the lemon zest, juice and milk to combine.
• Pour the filling onto the warm crust; reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees and bake for about 18-20 minutes until the filling feels slightly firm to the touch. Cool the bars to room temperature, sprinkle with additional powdered sugar and cut into bars.