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Lemon Blueberry Bars

Lemon blueberry bars with creamy curd and a golden shortbread crust.

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These bars feature a crisp, buttery shortbread crust topped with a bright, creamy lemon filling and juicy blueberries. The key to perfect, clean slices is fully baking the crust before adding the filling. They are a simple, crowd-pleasing dessert that brings a taste of sunshine any time of year.

Ingredients

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  • For the Shortbread Crust:
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • For the Lemon Blueberry Filling:
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3-4 lemons)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (do not thaw if frozen)
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for tossing with berries)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides to form a sling.
  2. Make the crust: In a medium bowl, cream the softened butter and 1/2 cup sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add 2 cups flour and 1/4 tsp salt, mixing on low just until dough comes together. Press firmly and evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until edges are lightly golden.
  3. Prepare the filling: While crust bakes, whisk eggs and 1 1/2 cups sugar in a large bowl until well combined. Whisk in lemon juice and zest. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently whisk dry ingredients into the wet mixture until smooth. In another bowl, toss blueberries with 1 tablespoon flour.
  4. Assemble and bake: Once crust is out of the oven, immediately scatter floured blueberries evenly over it. Slowly pour the lemon filling over the berries. Return pan to oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, until filling is set (center may have a slight jiggle) and edges are lightly golden.
  5. Cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to set. Use parchment sling to lift bars onto a cutting board before slicing into squares.

Notes

For clean slices, do not skip chilling the bars. Use frozen blueberries without thawing. For a glass pan, reduce oven temperature by 25°F. Bars freeze well for up to 3 months.

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