Today was a lemon bar kind of day, but I didn't want to make the usual type and was glad to stumble across this recipe. Unlike typical lemon bars, this one has a streusel topping.
I found the original version in one of my favorite cookbooks, The Wellesley Cookie Exchange. That book never lets me down, but I have to say these were even better than expected. The streusel layer added a new level of texture to the mix and overall, the bars reminded me of the ones I tasted last year in Minnesota which seemed have an extra layer of cake. But these were better because I could really taste the butter in the shortbread and the balance of salt was just right.
These weren’t too lemony and without any adornment on top, looked kind of plain. An opaque lemon glaze solved that problem so I included glaze in my version of the recipe. I also made these in the food processor which saved a lot of time.
Recipe
Iced Lemon Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups 252 grams all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar icing sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 8 oz 228 grams unsalted butter, cut into chunks
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups 294 grams granulated sugar (castor sugar)
- 6 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons 31 grams flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Glaze:
- 2 teaspoons butter
- ⅔ cup powdered sugar
- 4 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13x9 inch metal pan with non-stick foil or parchment paper.
- Combine the flour, powdered sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse to mix. Add the butter and pulse until mixture is coarse and crumbly. Measure out 1 cup of crumbs and set aside.
- Pour remaining crumbs into prepared pan and press them down slightly (they’ll be very dry). Bake for 18 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, mix the filling. Whisk the eggs in a mixing bowl. Whisk in sugar, lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of flour and baking powder. Spread over top of baked crust. Sprinkle reserved cup of crumbs over top. Bake on center rack for 20 to 25 minutes.
- Let cool completely. Lift from pan and set on a cutting board. Drizzle cooled bars with glazed (below). Let the glaze set then cut into 36 bars (or however many you want).
- To make the icing, melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl. Add the sugar and stir until thick and pasty. Add the lemon juice 1 teaspoon at a time and stir until smooth and a drizzling consistency. You may drizzle it onto the squares or put it in a bag, snip off the corner and pipe it on.
Anna says
Sue, I am so glad you made these! Thank you! I remember them as being really good, but it's been a while since I made them. I need to make them again and update the photo.
Sue says
I made these last summer to take on a camping trip. They were a great option for traveling vs. regular lemon bars. They traveled well and everyone liked them. Your recent post about eggless lemon bars got me thinking about these. These obviously have eggs but even with four eggs I remember the texture being significantly different than regular lemon bars and not eggy. I need to make them again and see how accurate my memory of them is.
Gloria says
I just made these ...I'm eating them warm and they are delicious! I can smell and taste the butter!!! My personal preference is I think they could use another tablespoon or two of lemon juice-as you say they are not too lemony. I did add the zest of one lemon into the crust and the juice of one big lemon plus bottled juice to make 6 T. They will appeal to everyone and that's what I'm going for. I'll make the glaze tomorrow and they'll be ready for testing! I have meyer lemons for the glaze. Never used them before. Hope they are good! THANKS for this recipe!
Anna says
Jules, that book is a classic. I love it. Thanks so much for the gingersnap tip.
Jules says
I can't believe someone else uses that cookbook! It has the absolute best gingersnap recipe in it. I've literally never baked anything else. I may have to try it!
Mary Lynn says
Nice change with the streusel topping - will be baking tonight....
Jennifer says
Those look really good. I love lemon and my family does not, but I have a bake sale to bake for in a couple of weeks, so I'm bookmarking this for then.
Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie says
Yum- lemon bars with streusel!
Caroline says
This would be the perfect thing to cure my lemon craving right now. Delicious! I love the dash of icing on the top, as well!
Sue says
I was craving lemon bars last week, but managed to get through it without making any. I love that this recipe can made in the food processor and you included weights. I bet they go together really fast!
Jenny W (The Housewife Project) says
Ok, these look really good! Now you have me craving lemon bars.
Shannon in Canada says
I love lemon bars and these look lovely! I am going to make these this afternoon, and going to browse around (your site of course) for a couple other kinds of bars to make. I just found some mini pans (3x5) and am excited to try them out by making little batches of a few different things I have been wanting to try! If that makes me a total baking geek, then I am fine with that!!
Alli says
So funny...I rarely make lemon bars and I literally just got home from making them at my boyfriend's house! These look delicious.
Katrina says
I just made some cream cheese lemon bars on Saturday and saw some others on another blog today and they all look good. Tis the season for lemon! Love that these are different.
Cookie Sleuth says
These look tasty! I was actually thinking about lemon bars this afternoon!