Eggless Lemon Bars Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why do my lemon bars look like scrambled eggs? ›

Why do my lemon bars look like scrambled eggs? If your lemon bars look like scrambled eggs, it's because you've overcooked them. The key to perfect lemon bars is to cook them until the filling is set, but not too long. You want the filling to be firm but still have a little bit of jiggle to it when you shake the pan.

Don't Over-Bake.

If you leave them in the oven too long, it can cause your bars to crack. The surface of your lemon bars should have small bubble holes, but not large cracks.

To cut, use the foil overhang to lift the baked square out of pan and onto a cutting board. Carefully loosen the foil from the edges of the crust, using a knife if necessary. Using a sharp knife, cut into squares or triangles. Use a fine sieve to dust the squares with Confectioners' sugar.

On very rare occasions, when making lemon bars, the shortbread may rise to the surface. (I've seen this happen once in 20+ years of making lemon bars.) This happens because the filling has found its way to the bottom of the pan, either through cracks in the crust or gaps at the edges of the pan.

– It's best to use a glass or a ceramic pan. Because if you use a metal pan, the acid will react with the lemon juice and the bars will have a slight metallic taste. – Also, make sure not to overcook the filling because it may get a rubbery texture instead of a smooth and creamy one.

Lemon bars should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated in order to prevent bacterial growth or foodborne illness. The filling in lemon bars is made with eggs and can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it's kept in the danger zone (between 41 and 153 degrees F).

Set a timer for 5 minutes after pulling the crust from the oven to ensure it doesn't cool too much—if the shortbread is allowed to reach room temperature, the uncooked lemon curd will slip off the top and pool in the bottom of the dish, turning your lemon bars upside down (sounds bananas until it happens to you!).

Prepare your chef's knife for cutting by coating with cooking spray and then wiping it clean with a paper towel. This step will help prevent the knife from sticking to the bars as you cut.

I often have trouble cutting up any sort of cookie bar, not just lemon bars. I have found that a hot, wet, very sharp knife helps quite a bit. Also, make sure the bars are completely chilled before cutting.

You will get6 bars with a little extra space for a sample for the cook, to taste for quality control. If 9" seem too long , cut in half and you will have a nice dozen. I spray my pans with oil so the food slips out easily, and I start by cutting the food in half; cut the halves in half; and so on.

How do you cut 8x8 lemon bars? ›

Can you freeze classic lemon bars? Yes, lemon bars are very freezer-friendly and even taste divine straight out of the freezer. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator to get that creamy texture.

The USDA says that you can safely keep lemon bars in the fridge for seven days, but The Kitchn recommends consuming the bars in three days. If you've made a whole batch just for yourself and can't finish all your lemon bars in a few days, another option is freezing them.

Don't bake in aluminum foil or directly in an aluminum pan. Aluminum will react with the acidic lemon juice and give the bars a metallic taste and can even affect the color. For a softer (but still not soggy!) crust, bake for only 15 minutes and edges are not golden brown.

Lemon bars are one of the EASIEST desserts to make but they're guaranteed to bring a smile to your face. I love the soft lemon filling paired with a crisp shortbread crust and the flavor is beyond delicious; so bright and zingy with all the lemon flavor from the juice and zest, they're simply irresistible!

The most common cause of broken cake batter is cold eggs. When cold eggs are added to room temperature batter they bring down the temperature of the entire mixture and cause it to break. The fat solidifies and turns into little chunks. The same thing can happen if you add cold milk.

Although lemon curd uses egg yolks and/or egg whites, the final product shouldn't taste eggy. If it does, it may mean that you've overcooked your eggs. In saying that, traditional lemon curd does have a distinct after taste which doesn't sit well with some.

Lemon curd will smell eggy if you over cook it, or let it cook too fast. That's why you should use a pan with a heavy bottom, and make sure to cook it low and slow.

However, it's important to be mindful of the amount of juice you use since eggs tend to curdle with excessive acid. You could also end up with a runny dish from adding too much liquid. For the right balance, whip two or three eggs with ½ teaspoon of lemon juice.