Meyer Lemon Buttermilk Bars

April 18, 2013

meyer lemOn buttermilk bars | une gamine dans la cuisine


My camera and I are in the middle of a dispute; I'm calling the board colour in these photos - Caribbean blue - my fickle camera insists it's toothpaste green. Depending on what device you're on, I'm sure it is a retina-awakening mixture of both. I have been waiting several months to start using this board, which I felt was too bright for winter. So, indecisive hues or not - I decided it was time to go Caribbean.

In case you were wondering, the colour on the paint tube said "turquoise." We're both wrong (and heavy on the snark).

At least I had lemon buttermilk bars to help buffer the tension. I'm not going to say that these are the best lemon bars. Ever. Because, quite frankly, I have made so many lemon bar recipes - I really can't remember which one bests the others. I'll take the diplomatic approach and tell you that I love them all - including this one, which is tangy, and perky, with a luscious creamy-smooth flavour.

Lemon bars are like ballet flats - light, comfortable, and always appropriate.


meyer lemOn buttermilk bars | une gamine dans la cuisine


Meyer Lemon Buttermilk Bars
makes about 25-30 bars

for the crust
12 Tablespoons (that's 1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
3.55 ounces (about 1/2 cup) granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
5.5 ounces  (about 1 1/4 cup) all-purpose flour 
1.5 ounces graham cracker crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt

for the filling
4.5 ounces (about 2/3 cup + 5 Tablespoons) granulated sugar {Note: I only used 2/3 cup because I like my lemon bars on the tart side.}
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon zest (about 3-5 lemons)
4 eggs - room temperature
4 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
5.3 ounces (about 2/3 cup) fresh lemon juice
8 ounces (1 cup) buttermilk, room temperature

method
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a slight overhang around the edges - butter the foil.

Prepare the crust: In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-5 minutes on med-high speed). Add the almond, flour, graham cracker crumbs, and salt. Beat on low-medium speed till combined. {Note: It's okay if the crust looks a little bit "sandy."}

Press the crust into the bottom of prepared pan. You might have to use your palm(s) to gently squash & spread the dough around the entire pan.

Bake for 10-13 minutes, or until light golden brown. Remove the crust from the oven and set it aside as you prepare the filling.  Leave the oven set to 350 F.

Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and lemon zest. Use your fingers to rub the zest into the sugar until it's light in colour and fragrant. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add the flour, lemon juice, and buttermilk. Whisk vigorously till combined. Pour the filling over the partially-baked crust (it's okay if the crust is still warm.).

Bake for 20-24 minutes, or until the center is set (not-jiggling 'round when the pan is touched), and the edges are just beginning to turn brown.

Remove the pan from the oven and onto a cooling rack. Cool completely before removing the bars. {Use the foil overhang to gently lift them from the pan.}

adapted from Williams Sonoma

36 comments:

  1. My mouth is watering as I look at these lovely meyer lemon buttermilk bars. And I love the turquoise!

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  2. Love the bright Caribbean color of the board! So spring-like and cheery! Love the light and bright look of the photos and the bars...shortbread-like crust, buttermilk, lemon, this is so you! Beautiful job!

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  3. These look heavenly, Valerie! Love the graham cracker crust and your blue board - it makes the lemon pop! :)

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  4. I'm not sure I can still get my hands on Meyer lemons, but I bet these would be fantastic with regular lemons too! And for the record, I like the color of your board (whatever it is) :)

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  5. I have that color board too:-)
    Different turq on different days:-)
    The bars sound and look good.
    Here's to Spring.

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  6. OH, Val! First of all...I LOVE your new blog look! It's stunning! The color and brightness are wonderful - I don't care what it's called, I love it! So, so pretty! ...and the lovely lemon bars go perfectly! You'll have to make lemon baked goods from now on! xox

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  7. I have to admit that I'm not always a fan of lemon in my desserts but this picture makes this treat look delish! Pinned and must try. :)

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  8. Love your saying that lemon bars are like ballet flats - so cleaver! You certainly can't go wrong with a great lemon bar and yours is just that. Loving the buttermilk element.

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  9. I love your pictures - this is so bright and cheery for spring! The bars sound amazing too, I need to get more meyer lemons!

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  10. duke it out with your camera and whilst you are.... I will enjoy your beautiful Meyer Lemon Buttermilk Bar :")

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  11. Gorgeous! I love the idea of adding buttermilk to the filling.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  12. Blue, turquoise, green, whatever colour it is it really makes those beautiful lemon bars pop!

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  13. Someday I hope to create a March Madness style bracket for your lemon bars, and hold a runoff to choose my favorite. I don't know if I'd actually pick a winner, but it would sure be fun trying.

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  14. I'd say the board looks Carribbean blue. Whatever color it is, it's pretty! These bars look so creamy and delicious!

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  15. Val, these look so damn good!! As good as ballet shoes! HA! :-)

    I love the board color. I did a turquoise board, but didn't like the way it turned out, so I threw a touch of white color here and there, and now I love it.

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  16. The color looks perfectly lovely to me! And the color stuff when ordering clothing online is so annoying. The stuff arrives and it's always SO far off from the picture. And it's not just on my computer!

    Anyway, I'm happy you were able to get some good pictures of the lemon bars. And I agree, all lemon bars are awesome. :)

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  17. I think it looks blue from my laptop and it's really pretty so Spring/Summer like. Your bars look absolutely scrumptious! Lemon is such a favorite of mine.

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  18. Your lemon bars look heavenly and perfectly comfortable on this pretty blue board...I could bake lemon bars every week-love them so...

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  19. My camera and I are almost always in an argument ;) But I could never be in an argument with these bars!

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  20. Love the bright colour, love lemon bars...love the snark, it's what keeps me coming back :)

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  21. Lemon bars are always a hit with me. For me, on my screen, that colour is turquoise so I am with the original colour.

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  22. Hi Valerie

    Lemon zest and lemon juice, I'm assuming you used meyer lemons for this recipe.

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  23. Those bars seriously look so heavenly. You had me at lemon of course but gosh they are gorgeous and perfect!

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  24. @Jackie; Yes, I used meyer lemons - but regular lemons will be just as splendid. :)

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  25. I agree, lemon bars are always in season and always well received by all. Love the buttermilk in here, it even makes the name a bit more charming!

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  26. i love the buttermilk in here! and that board is absolutely gorgeous, such a lovely photo! they look so deliciously creamy, i wish i was eating one right now!

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  27. Gosh, I haven't had lemon bars in forever, but both your description of them and these photos make me really want one. Love the comparison of lemon bars to ballet flats :)

    And, no matter what you call the color, I quite like it!

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  28. Your lemon bars look so delicious and I love the colour of your board!

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  29. These sound soooo delicious! Perfect spring treat :-)

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  30. I love the color of your board--I have one similar and it makes me so happy every time I use it. :)

    Now these lemon bars--I do believe you when you say they're the best--they look perfect!

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  31. Mmmmm, I'm loving the graham crust with almond extract, combined with tangy lemon buttermilk filling (or topping). My mouth is tingling just thinking about these. Exquisite!

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  32. I love the Carribean turquoise color of your board. My camera has a problem with red. It either turns out flashing bright or towards brown, which is awkward.
    Anyhow, I'm glad you shared these lemon bars. They make me dream of sunny summer days when all I want is a glass of cold lemonade or a refreshing citrus treat.

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  33. Val--
    thee are going in my friday links!
    the world must know!!

    xoxo

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  34. I feel like you've been transformed from your gloomy winter to a very bright and warm spring with the lovely colors here. So springy and fresh. LOVE these bars, Val!

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Thanks for visiting, and for taking the time to read through my ramblings!
If you have a recipe comment or question, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Baking!
♥ Valerie

 

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