It is almost that time of year again and I am revisiting my favorite classic dessert recipes and trying out new ones as well. I have a classic all-time favorite sweet treat to share with you today – citrus bars. Lemon bars may be the most common, but citrus bars have the combined flavors of citrus fruit like lemon, lime and orange.
The original recipe is from Good Housekeeping. This is the only recipe for citrus bars I have ever tried, so I do not know how it compares with other citrus/lemon bar recipes. But believe me when I say this is very easy and absolutely delicious.
Sometimes I make them with just lemon zest and juice, sometimes with lemon and orange; because very rarely do I remember to get all three citrus fruits at the same time! So, I suppose as long as you maintain the overall juice to zest ratio, it will be fine. It will work with only limes too if you like a sharper, more tart flavor. But personally, I love the sweetness fresh oranges bring to these bars.
The crust is way easier than a traditional pie crust or shortbread and the filling comes together very quick as well. You just cannot go wrong.
This is a good basic recipe to have on hand for the upcoming Holiday season.
I usually bake a large batch of these bars every winter around Christmas. The oranges are sweet and fresh, and orange infused desserts make a sunny addition to the dessert table.
The following recipe is for citrus bars using oranges and limes.
CITRUS BARS
You will need:
For the crust,
- All purpose flour – 1 1/2 cup
- Powdered sugar – 1/2 cup
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Unsalted butter – 3/4 cup
For the citrus filling,
- Eggs – 3, large
- Sugar – 1 cup
- All purpose flour – 3 tbsp
- Baking powder – 1/2 tsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Fresh orange juice – 3 tbsp
- Fresh lime juice – 3 tbsp
- Orange zest – 3/4 tsp
- Lime zest – 3/4 tsp
- Powdered sugar – 1-2 tbsp, for dusting
How to:
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 deg.F. Line a 9×13 baking pan and grease thoroughly with vegetable oil or melted butter.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix the dry ingredients for the crust together with a whisk. Cut the cold butter in to little pieces and cut in to the flour-sugar mixture. You can use a pastry cutter, a food processor or just your fingers. Work fast to make a crumbly sand-like mixture.
- Tip in to the baking pan and press down firmly to form a nice crust. Bake for 20 minutes or till lightly golden.
- When the crust is baking, juice and zest the fruit and prepare the filling. In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs on high speed for 2 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and beat on low speed till just blended.
- Pour filling over the hot baked crust. Bake for around 15 minutes or the filling is just set and golden around the edges.
- Place pan on wire rack and cool for 5-8 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar while still warm and cool completely in pan.
- When cool, remove from foil and slice in to bars with a large, sharp knife.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes:
- Use this as a basic recipe for lemon bars (or just orange bars or lime bars), or any combination of citrus fruit you like to use. Just remember to use a total of 6 tbsp freshly squeezed juice and around 1 1/2 tsp zest.
This is such a delicious and easy recipe. It brings in all your favorite citrus flavors together in a tangy, sweet and delicious mouthful.
Do you like lemon and citrus bars? Try this recipe and let me know how you like it!
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cursing that I just did the shopping yet have no limes to make this 🙁 Love citrus anything.
I love anything citrus too. I hope you give it a try sometime 🙂
how wonderful….
Thank you!
I can feel the tangy taste of the bars by jus lukin at the pictures. They look so inviting.
Thank you, Sadia, and welcome back!
I like the idea of combining so many different citrus flavors together- thanks for sharing this dish at FF too Anjana!
Thank you, Jess!
I love that you mixed it up by using oranges and limes! such a nice spin on the traditional bar – also pretty pics as always!
Thank you, Sarah. I am not very fond of only limes in desserts, the oranges add a delicate sweetness. Try it!
Yummy!! I love the fact that you used a variety of citrus fruit in it! They look so delicious!
Thank you so much, Serena!
I adore citrus in baked goods, and your bars look so perfect.
Thank you. Do try this recipe!
Lemon bars have been on my “to make” list since long now. You have given me a great recipe. Will use it during the holiday season :).
Please do, Sonal! I love this recipe. It’s easily customizable to use your favorite citrus fruit too.
Wow, how delicious Anjana! I generally shy away from lemony sweets, as I prefer citrus with savory food! But these bars look fabulous! Are they sour or is it a mild citrus flavor? Lovely pictures!
I know exactly what you mean about citrus desserts veering dangerously close to sour/tart territory. The sweet oranges right now in season provide a nice sweetness to these bars. I always make sure to add oranges. So, these citrus bars are milder than say, a pie with lemon curd or lime pie.
They look really beautiful, and I bet are delicious! What a lovely combination!
Thank you so much, Apsara. It’s one of my favorite desserts!
These bars look so refreshing! Perfect after all of the heavy desserts.
Thank you so much, Julie. True, so you can indulge more!
these look perfect – anything citrus gets my vote.
Thank you. Me too!
I can almost taste these bars. Lemon happens to be my favourite tangy filling. The snowman in the pics is supercute!
Thank you so much, Aruna! My son found the snowman in the Christmas aisle. I love his funny face!
As you can notice from my last posts I’m a lot into the citrus mood! I’ve never tried to make bars, looking at your beautiful photos I should do it!
Thank you so much! I love the oranges in season right now and cannot wait to make more citrus treats. I must take a look at your posts 🙂