Tangy Blackberry Lemon Dessert Bars (Printable)

Sweet, tangy dessert bars with a shortbread crust.

# What You Need:

→ For the Shortbread Crust

01 - 1 cup 225 g unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup 100 g granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups 250 g all-purpose flour
04 - 1/2 tsp salt

→ For the Blackberry Swirl

05 - 1 cup 150 g fresh or frozen blackberries
06 - 2 tbsp 25 g granulated sugar
07 - 1 tsp lemon juice

→ For the Lemon Filling

08 - 1 1/2 cups 300 g granulated sugar
09 - 1/4 cup 30 g all-purpose flour
10 - 4 large eggs
11 - 2/3 cup 160 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice about 3–4 lemons
12 - Zest of 2 lemons

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F 175°C. Line a 9x9-inch 23x23 cm baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar for the crust until light and fluffy. Add flour and salt, mixing until the dough comes together.
03 - Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until lightly golden.
04 - While the crust is baking, make the blackberry swirl: In a small saucepan, combine blackberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, mashing the berries and stirring, until thickened about 5 minutes. Strain through a sieve to remove seeds. Set aside.
05 - For the lemon filling, whisk together sugar and flour in a large bowl. Add eggs, lemon juice, and zest, whisking until thoroughly combined.
06 - Pour the lemon filling over the pre-baked crust. Dot spoonfuls of the blackberry puree over the filling, then use a toothpick or knife to swirl gently.
07 - Bake for 20–22 minutes more, until the center is just set and the top looks slightly matte.
08 - Cool completely in the pan, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours before lifting out and slicing into bars. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This dessert balances sweet and tart perfectly, making each bite refreshing.
  • They are simple to make yet impressive enough for guests, making you feel like a kitchen magician.
02 -
  • Don’t overmix the lemon filling; it can create air bubbles that affect the texture.
  • Using fresh lemons and blackberries makes a noticeable difference in flavor, so always opt for them if possible.
03 -
  • Letting the bars chill overnight enhances the flavors even more, making them a day ahead treat.
  • A dash of vanilla extract in the filling can elevate the overall taste.
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