Lemon Bars with Blueberries
Everyone loves these! Cut them into tiny squares and serve with espresso for an elegant touch at the end of a special dinner.
Makes 2 Dozen 2 1/2 by 3-inch Lemon Bars
Crust
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 pound plus 4 tablespoons (4 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch cubes and chilled
For the Crust
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a 17 by 12 by 1-inch baking pan and set aside.
3. Mix the flour and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade and pulse 2 or 3 times to blend. Add the cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal and begins to stick together. Remove from the food processor and form into a ball.
4. Flatten the dough with lightly floured hands and press evenly into the bottom and 1/4 inch up the sides of the prepared pan. The dough will be about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, until light brown but not quite done. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
Filling
3 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
7 large eggs, lightly beaten
Grated zest and juice of 4 lemons
1 cup fresh blueberries, cleaned
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
For the Filling
1. Mix together the granulated sugar, flour, and baking powder in a bowl and set aside.
2. Mix the eggs, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a separate bowl and whisk until smooth and well blended. Sift the flour-sugar mixture into the egg mixture and stir until well blended.
3. Pour the filling on top of the crust and sprinkle evenly with the blueberries; they will sink slightly. Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for several hours before cutting.
4. Trim the edges and cut into 2 1/2 by 3-inch bars. Dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving. (For smaller bars, cut the bar in half down the center or on the diagonal.)