Description
These Lemon Blueberry Bars combine a buttery, tender crust with a tangy lemon filling studded with fresh blueberries and topped with a zesty lemon glaze. Perfectly balanced between sweet and tart, they make a refreshing dessert or snack that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- Pinch of salt
For the Filling
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Crust Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, powdered sugar, softened butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form the Crust: Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form a uniform crust layer.
- Bake the Crust: Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, flour, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add Blueberries: Gently fold the fresh or frozen blueberries into the lemon filling mixture to distribute evenly.
- Assemble Bars: Pour the lemon-blueberry filling over the slightly cooled crust and spread it out evenly.
- Bake the Bars: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is set and starting to turn golden at the edges.
- Cool the Bars: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature.
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth to create a tangy glaze.
- Glaze the Bars: Once the bars are completely cool, pour the lemon glaze over the top and spread evenly.
- Chill the Bars: Place the glazed bars in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the glaze to set and the bars to firm up.
- Slice and Serve: After chilling, slice the bars into squares and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor in both the filling and glaze.
- Make sure the crust is slightly cooled before adding the filling to prevent melting the eggs.
- Frozen blueberries can be used but do not thaw them to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
- The bars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, covered tightly.
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add extra lemon zest to the filling or glaze.
