Citrus Bars

by

I stole this recipe for Citrus Bars from Southern Living: Secret’s of the South’s Best Barbecue, I know a dessert recipe from a barbecue cookbook sounds odd, but trust me, these bars taste great. These citrus bars are basically lemon & orange bars combined. Making these bars from scratch is easier than you think and the combined lemon and orange flavors gives these bars a bright citrus flavor. The citrus flavor makes me think of summer and Florida.

“Since the nineteen-fifties, rural Florida has marketed itself to Northerners and Midwesterners as an unexplored paradise of citrus and mermaids.” – Anne Hull, Journalist (see more quotes in the Quotes tab)

Beat 1 cup softened butter at medium speed with electric mixer until creamy; add 2 cups flour and ½ cup powdered sugar.

Beat until mixture forms a smooth dough.

Scrap dough off beaters and smooth with a spoon.

Press mixture into a lightly greased 13×9 inch baking pan.

Bake 350 F for 20 to 22 minutes or until lightly browned. While crust is baking in a large mixing bowl add ¼ cup flour, 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar, ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice, 4 beaten eggs, 1 tsp finely grated orange rind, ⅓ cup fresh orange juice, 1 tsp baking powder and ¼ tsp salt.

Whisk ingredients in bowl together and pour over baked crust.

Bake 350 F for 28 to 30 minutes or until set.

Cool in pan or on wire rack then cut into bars.

Don’t stop there! Sprinkle powdered sugar on top of the bars.

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Citrus Bars

Homemade citrus bars with a shortbread crust! These bars are made with lemons and oranges to give the bars a bright citrus flavor.

Course Dessert
Cuisine American, Southern
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings 24 bars
Author Recipe Thief

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter softened
  • 2 ¼ cups AP flour divided
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 ¾ cups granulated sugar
  • ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
  • 4 large eggs beaten
  • 1 tsp finely grated orange rind
  • ⅓ cup fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp powdered sugar
  • Garnish: orange and lemon rinds

Instructions

  1. Beat butter at medium speed with electric mixer until creamy; add 2 cups flour and ½ cup powdered sugar. Beat until mixture forms a smooth dough. Press mixture into a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking pan.
  2. Bake 350 F for 20 to 22 minutes or until lightly browned.
  3. Whisk together remaining ¼ cup flour, granulated sugar, and next 6 ingredients, pour over baked crust.
  4. Bake 350 F for 28 to 30 minutes or until set. Cool in pan or on wire rack. Sprinkle evenly with 1 tbsp powdered sugar, and cut into bars.