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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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!
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