Lemon Bars
Delightfully tart and sweet, these bars are like mini lemon meringue pies.
Number of servings : 24 bars
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Type of meal : | Desserts | Desserts
Special diet :
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
Topping:
2 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup lemon curd (available in jelly section of supermarket)
1/2 cup shelled pistachios, finely minced (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 13-inch x-9-inch baking sheet with vegetable cooking spray. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar at low speed until fluffy. Mix in egg yolks and vanilla until well blended. On low speed, blend in flour just until incorporated.
- Using the back of a spoon or a sheet of waxed paper, press dough onto the bottom of the pan. Bake 15 minutes, or until dough looks set. Remove from oven.
- Prepare topping. In a clean mixing bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar. When stiff, beat in vanilla.
- Spread lemon curd over prepared dough. Cover with beaten egg-white mixture, then sprinkle evenly with nuts, if using.
- Return to oven and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer, or until top begins to brown. Remove from oven and cool slightly. While still warm, cut into bars. Cool completely before serving. (Can be made up to 2 days ahead. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate.)
Nutritional information:
