Chef John's Lemon Bars

• servings: 16 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup unsalted butter at room temperature

¼ cup confectioners' sugar

¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolks

1 cup white sugar

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zest

1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar, or to taste

Directions

Set an oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.

Make crust: Use the back of a spatula or wooden spoon to mash flour and butter in a large bowl until thoroughly combined. Mix in confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and salt until mixture resembles slightly crumbly cookie dough. Moisten your fingers with a little water and press dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Use a fork to prick holes all over crust.

Bake on the middle rack in the preheated oven until edges are barely golden brown, about 22 minutes. Set aside.

Make custard: Beat together eggs and egg yolks in a medium bowl until combined. Whisk in white sugar and flour until smooth. Add lemon juice and zest; whisk for 2 minutes. Pour over warm crust.

Bake on the center rack until custard is set and the top has a thin white sugary crust, about 25 minutes. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.

Dip a knife into very hot water, then run the blade around the edges and cut into 16 squares. Dust bars with confectioners' sugar.

Nutrition

• Calories: 153 kcal
• Total Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 51 mg
• Sodium: 47 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
• Dietary Fiber: 0 g
• Total Sugars: 15 g
• Protein: 2 g