lemon Chess Bars

Lemon Chess Bars are a delightful, tangy dessert with a rich, buttery crust and a smooth, creamy lemon filling. Perfect for any occasion, these bars offer a refreshing citrus flavor combined with a luscious texture that will surely satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into chunks
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 3-5 tablespoons ice water

For the Filling:

• 4 whole eggs
• 4 egg yolks
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and arrange the oven rack to the lowest level. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease with butter or nonstick spray.

1. Prepare the Crust:

• In a food processor, combine the flour, salt, and butter. Pulse until the mixture forms pea-sized chunks.
• Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough comes together.
• Press the dough evenly into the lined baking dish.

1. Prepare the Filling:

• In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, whole eggs, buttermilk, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
• Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, whisking until smooth. Slowly pour in the melted butter and continue whisking until creamy and well combined.

1. Assemble and Bake:

• Pour the filling over the crust in the baking dish.
• Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a golden crust forms on top.

1. Cool and Serve:

• Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
• Optional: Lightly dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

Tips for Perfect Lemon Chess Bars:

• Butter Temperature: Ensure the butter for the crust is very cold to achieve a flaky texture.
• Eggs and Buttermilk: Bring eggs and buttermilk to room temperature before using to ensure a smooth filling.
• Lemon Flavor: For an extra lemony kick, increase the lemon zest to 1 ½ teaspoons.
• Serving: These bars are best served chilled. Store them in the refrigerator and cut into squares just before serving.

Enjoy these luscious Lemon Chess Bars with a dusting of powdered sugar for a delightful finish!