Lemon Bar aka Lemon Slice

Lemon Bar or Lemon Slice is a combination of buttery shortbread and tangy lemon filling that makes it so irresistible to stop at one. Although different recipes yield different result in texture and taste, I prefer mine with crispy shortbread crust that filled with soft and tangy lemon filling.

LEMON BAR
(aka Lemon Slice)

I remember I first get to try lemon bar during during my days in Brisbane years back where these lovely bars could be easily found in bakery or cafes as compared to Singapore. If you are a fan of "citric fruit" such as lemon, you should try making some of these which goes really well with a cup of English tea for an afternoon break.

(Make: 16 x 26cm pan | Preparation: 15 minutes | Cooking: 30 - 35 minutes)

Ingredients:
150g Unsalted Butter, cubes
1 1/3 cup (200g) All Purpose Flour
1 Tablespoon Cornflour
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/3 Cup (75g) Caster Sugar
Icing Sugar For Garnish

Lemon Fillings:
1/3 cup (50g) All-Purpose Flour
4 Eggs(55g each)
1 1/3 Cup (300g) Caster Sugar
2/3 Cup (160ml) Freshly Squeeze Lemon Juice
1 Teaspoon Finely Grated Lemon Rind

Method:-
1. Preheat oven to 180°C (degree Celsius). Grease a 3cm deep, 16cm x 26cm brownie pan and line it with baking paper, allowing 2cm overhang on all sides.

2. Melt butter in a large microwave safe bowl for 1 minute using MEDIUM (50%) voltage. Set a side to cool a little.

3. Next stir in caster sugar, vanilla extract and follow by sifted flours (all-purpose flour and cornflour) over the butter mixture.

4. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, stir the mixture till it form a soft dough before transferring it to the prepared tin.

5. Using the back of of spoon/spatula, press the dough evenly into the tin and bake it in preheated oven for 15 - 20 minutes or until pastry turns golden in colour. Remove and set aside to cool.

6. To make the lemon filling:- Whisk eggs, lemon rind, flour and sugar together till well-mixed before add in the lemon juice and whisk till combined.

7. Pour the mixture into the cooled base. Bake for 15 minutes or until just set.

8. Remove from oven, cool it completely in pan. Dust it with icing sugar and cut it into slices before serving.

Remember a delicious Lemon Bar lies on the use of freshly squeeze lemon juice and rinds which gives the bake a refreshing aroma and taste. And also the buttery shortbread crust also plays a part to balance the taste of this bake, so remember to get it right rather than soggy or under-baked crust.