Lemon Lime Bars

Having half a dozen lemons and limes in the fridge drew me to this recipe. I didn't want to make a tart, a pie, or even a ice cream. I wanted something homey, traditional and pretty much what one could label as "comfort food". Lemon Bars are the epitome of comfort food so lemon lime bars sprinkled with icing sugar and topped with lime zest seemed like a pretty good idea.

This recipe makes thick, sweet and tangy lemon lime bars; a perfect citrus combination especially lovely this time of year. The crust is an amazing shortbread that works very well with the tangy fruit filling. For dessert, I highly recommended serving these alongside a dollop of whipped cream.

The original recipe hails from Better Homes and Gardens. I followed it to the letter but found the baking time, at least in my oven, was way off. I needed to add an extra 10 minutes to get it to set properly. So I recommend you start off with the original recipe time-frame and then check it from there until you can move the pan gently without the center giggling all over the place. Extra baking time will cause it to brown a bit more on top than usual but have no fear, it will soon be sprinkled liberally with powdered sugar and no one will be the wiser.

I also found that the source recipe didn't have enough lime added to it other than a measly teaspoon of lime zest. So instead of adding the full 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the filling I divided it into 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup lime juice.

To begin you will need to line a 9" x 13" baking pan with heavy foil so it covers the bottom and sides with a slight overhang around all the edges. Next preheat that oven to 350F and get baking!


Baked and cooling at room temperature
This will need another 2 hours in the fridge before slicing


RECIPE:
* altered source recipe Lemon Lime Bars, Better Homes and Gardens

WHAT YOU NEED

CRUST

2/3 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup packed golden brown sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
Zest of 1 large lemon

FILLING

6 large eggs
2 1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup lime juice
zest of 1 large lemon
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
feel free to add a drop or two of yellow food dye to give it a rich yellow color!

TOPPING

powdered sugar
lime zest

MAKE IT

PREHEAT oven to 350F
LINE 9x13" pan with heavy foil

IN BOWL OF A STAND MIXER fitted with paddle blade, beat butter 1 minute MED speed
ADD brown sugar and cream until combined
ADD flour and lemon zest beating until mixture resembles coarse crumbs
PRESS into bottom and up the sides of prepared pan
BAKE 20 minutes (or until center is set)
REMOVE and let rest on cooling rack while you prepare the filling

IN BOWL OF A STAND MIXER fitted with paddle blade, combine all ingredients and MIX on MED 2-3 minutes scraping down sides when necessary
POUR into hot crust
RETURN to oven and bake an additional 20-25 minutes or until center is set. This too an extra 10 minutes in my oven so keep checking after 20 minutes and adjust baking time accordingly.

REMOVE from oven and let rest on baking rack 1 hour
COVER AND TRANSFER to fridge for 2 hours
SPRINKLE generously with powdered sugar and lime zest
LIFT bars out of pan gently by pulling up on foil edges
CUT with a knife dipped in hot water. Dip knife in hot water after each cut to ensure clean and smooth edges

ENJOY !


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9 comments:

  1. That filling definitely looks a hellofalot thicker than most citrus bars ive seen, which is altogether a MASSIVELY positive thing of course! I have been on a bit of a lemon fest on my blog lately so fear i may need to make a few different things, but i will definitely be saving and making these as soon as possible :) lovely recipe and beautiful looking bars!

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  2. These look so summery and zingy - gorgeous!

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  3. These look mouth-watering. I've often wondered about combining lemon and lime in these bars. Citrus fan that I am, I am definitely going to try these.

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  4. Love your photos, these look perfect. A couple of weeks ago I did lime, then lemon, I think a combination is worth a try! Thanks for sharing with Fat Camp Friday. See you next week! http://bit.ly/npf0ml

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  5. Hi lovely lady.
    This look so Good !!! You take some Beautiful photos sweet lady. Im your newest follower on your Blog. I hope you come over and become one of my followers on my Tablescapes. I also hope you and your family have a Great weekend.
    XXOO Diane

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  6. I've made lemon bars before but have never added lime. It has to be delicious though. They look great! Thanks for sharing on A Well-Seasoned Life's Sweet Indulgences Sunday.

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  7. Those bars look so delicious! Citrus is always yummy for summer.

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  8. These look great - I love the idea of brown sugar in the crust, lime as well as lemon juice in the filling, and that touch of nutmeg - YUM!

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  9. I love the idea of lemon and lime. It makes me woozy with joy just thinking of it.

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Thank you for your comments!

Linda @ Lemon Drop