Sunny Lemon Bars Recipe

• servings: 16 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 2 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

For the Crust:

4 1/2 ounces (1 cup; 130g) all-purpose flour

2 ounces (1/2 cup; 60g) powdered sugar, preferably organic

1/4 teaspoon (1g) Diamond Crystal kosher salt; for table salt, use the same weight or half as much by volume

1/8 ounce (1 tablespoon; 4g) freshly grated lemon zest

4 ounces (1 stick; 115g) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch dice

For the Custard:

9 1/2 ounces (1 1/3 cups; 270g) granulated sugar

3 large eggs, cold

4 3/4 ounces (1/2 cup; 135g) egg yolks, from about 8 large eggs

1/4 ounce (1 packed tablespoon; 8g) freshly grated lemon zest

Pinch of kosher salt

11 ounces (1 1/3 cups; 310g) lemon juice, from about 8 large lemons (see note)

For Garnishing:

2 ounces (1/2 cup; 55g) powdered sugar (optional)

6 ounces (1 cup; 170g) Lemon Chantilly (optional)

5 ounces (1 cup; 140g) Crispy Citrus-Candied Pistachios (optional)

Directions

For the Crust: Adjust oven rack to middle position, preheat oven to 350°F (180°C), and line an 8- by 8- by 2-inch anodized-aluminum baking pan with a piece of parchment paper long enough to overhang the pan's edges. Combine flour, powdered sugar, salt, lemon zest, and butter in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to form a dry but pebbly meal, about 12 one-second pulses. Scatter into the prepared baking pan, press into an even layer, and bake until pale gold and firm, about 30 minutes. Use hot or set aside until needed, up to 48 hours at room temperature if tightly covered.

For the Custard: Combine sugar, whole eggs, yolks, lemon zest, and salt in a 3-quart stainless steel saucepan, then whisk in lemon juice. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly but not vigorously, until warm to the touch, about 3 minutes. Increase heat to medium-low and continue cooking and stirring until thick and steaming-hot (custard should register 170°F (77°C) on an instant-read thermometer), about 8 minutes. Immediately strain into the prepared crust, smooth into an even layer, and cover with aluminum foil. Bake until smooth and firm, about 10 minutes. Remove foil and cool to room temperature, then re-cover and refrigerate until cold and firm, about 1 hour.

To Serve: Loosen chilled custard from sides of pan with a bench or butter knife, then carefully tug loose and lift using overhanging parchment and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 16 two-inch squares, rinsing the knife clean between each slice. Serve plain, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, or topped with Lemon Chantilly and Crispy Citrus-Candied Pistachios. Store up to 1 week in an airtight container.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Makes 16 (2-inch) square
• Calories: 218 kcal
• Total Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 29 g
• Dietary Fiber: 0 g
• Total Sugars: 21 g
• Protein: 5 g