Summer 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!
Lemon, 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.
For 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.
Enjoy! xo. Emma
ooh, grapefruit! I never heard of that one- sounds great.
Posted by: Rose Eva | May 10, 2012 at 07:37 PM
These look so yummy! Thanks for sharing. xo, rv
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Posted by: Rae Veda | May 10, 2012 at 07:38 PM
It looks delicious! We have a lot of lemons and grapefruits around here - first step: done!
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Posted by: olga | May 10, 2012 at 07:40 PM
these all look sooooo good! my goodness! the perfect summer treat.
xxx
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Posted by: Lady à la Mode | May 10, 2012 at 07:42 PM
These look delicious! I'm going to try them this weekend...
Posted by: LDiggitty | May 10, 2012 at 07:43 PM
yum!
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Posted by: Jillian | May 10, 2012 at 07:44 PM
I love lime and I love limeade!
Posted by: Leigh Ann | May 10, 2012 at 07:48 PM
mmm yummy!
they all look so good!
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Posted by: Tinacious.Me | May 10, 2012 at 07:48 PM
Yum, yums!
xoxo
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Posted by: Natasha Fatah | May 10, 2012 at 07:53 PM
Yum -- I LOVE citrus fruit bar desserts! I have got to try these! :)
xoxo,
Nat
Posted by: Nat | May 10, 2012 at 07:56 PM
OHH! I'm intrigued! Will have to try with lime!
x
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Posted by: Votre Amie | May 10, 2012 at 08:04 PM
BLISS BLISS BLISS!!!
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Posted by: call me debbie | May 10, 2012 at 08:12 PM
YUMM! Just brought home a huge bag of lemons from a coworkers tree... know what I am going to do with them... :)
Posted by: Charlotte | May 10, 2012 at 08:28 PM
The grapefruit one looks so good! I actually have some grapefruit in the fridge, I'll have to see what I can do with it.
Posted by: Tor | May 10, 2012 at 08:32 PM
So excited to try these! Lemon bars are my brothers favorite but I am not a huge lemon fan! Maybe this can be the middle ground!!!
Posted by: Augusta Nissly | May 10, 2012 at 09:33 PM
omggg that looks absolutely deeelishhh!
xx
-S
Ginger and Lace
Posted by: Steph | May 10, 2012 at 09:48 PM
The lime looks so good! Totally on my summer recipe list!
Posted by: Freya | May 10, 2012 at 09:49 PM
HOLY MOLY those look good! You know why especially? They look nice and THICK -- I swear most lemon bars are TOO SKIMPY ON THE FILLING.
Hey guess what, I seriously have heard about your blog here there and everywhere and now that I'm here I can't believe I haven't been here before. LOVE IT. Love love.
Posted by: Melissa@Julia'sBookbag | May 10, 2012 at 10:22 PM
o wow! - grapefruit bars SOUNDS AMAZING!
grace
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Posted by: grace | May 10, 2012 at 10:28 PM
Yummy! They look delicious and are pretty too!
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Posted by: Kate | May 10, 2012 at 10:51 PM