Lemon Bars

A popular American dessert baked in a square or rectangular pan and cut into neat little squares. It has a crumbly, nutty base and a soft, tangy citrus filling that’s perfectly balanced. You can use either lemon or lime — this time, I went with lime for a slightly brighter flavor 

Ingredients

For the crust

• 100 g walnuts

• 3/4 cup flour (90 g)

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (30 g)

• 3 tbsp starch

• 75 g butter

• zest of 1 lime

• a pinch of salt

For the filling

• 4 eggs

• 1 cup sugar (250 g)

• 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (160 ml) (about 3 limes)

• 1/4 cup flour (30 g)

• zest of 1 lime

• powdered sugar for dusting

Steps

Crust

1. Grind the walnuts in a blender (not too fine)

2. Mix all dry ingredients

3. Grate the butter into the mixture

4. Mix using a mixer until crumbly

5. Press the mixture firmly into a baking dish

6. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 20 minutes

Filling

7. While the crust is baking, prepare the filling

8. Whisk together all filling ingredients

9. Pour the filling over the hot crust

10. Reduce oven temperature to 160°C (320°F)

11. Bake for 20 minutes (the center may look slightly underdone — it will set as it cools)

12. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour

13. Cut into squares and generously dust with powdered sugar