Citrus Zest Dessert Bars

"Brightly colored and flavored dessert bars. These have a lightly sweet crust, with a rich creamy filling. Fresh orange and lemon zest are a fresh balance to the usually heavy flavors of the holiday season."
 
Download
photo by a food.com user photo by a food.com user
Ready In:
1hr 20mins
Ingredients:
16
Serves:
10
Advertisement

ingredients

Advertisement

directions

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9x12 baking dish with foil, leave 2 inches extra on all sides, and butter the foil.
  • Mix flour and cornstarch in a bowl.
  • In a separate bowl, beat the butter and sugar on medium until fluffy. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
  • Transfer dough to dish, spreading evenly pressing to make a 1/4-inch crust in bottom of pan. Cover with plastic wrap, then press and flatten with hands to even out the dough. Refrigerate 1 hour.
  • Remove the plastic from the dough and prick the dough evenly all over with a fork. Bake crust until golden.
  • Meanwhile, melt jam in microwave until soft enough to spread. Spread jam with a spatula over the crust. Return to the oven and cook another 10 minutes. Cool crust completely, about 1 hour.
  • Whisk eggs, yolks, sugar, milk, flour, and salt together in a medium bowl and beat till thickened. Stir in juices and zest, and whisk well.
  • Pour the filling onto cooled crust and bake until filling is firm but loose and wobbly in the center, about 25 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before cutting.
  • Remove bars from fridge and dip bottom of dish in warm water to soften butter and release foil from sides. Use foil to lift pastry out of dish and transfer to a cutting board. Cut into 2 inch squares. Top each square with an orange curl and serve.

Questions & Replies

Got a question? Share it with the community!
Advertisement

Reviews

  1. This was a great, refreshing treat. I took them to a party, and even after doubling the recipe, they were gone-baby-gone! I did sprinkle with powdered sugar for added effect.
     
  2. Nice, tasty bars!
     
Advertisement

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

My husband and I are pastors who work with college students and young adults and we absolutely love it! The students are my "kids" and constantly teach me new things and keep my life interesting. I have posted many recipes here at their behest. Sometimes I think they just love me 'cause they know that can come over and get a fresh homecooked meal -a great break from their sketchy college cafeteria food! I grew up in a beautiful, loud, fun, albeit slightly crazy, Spanish-Italian family where cooking is not just about putting food on the table -it is an art. An intense, passionate art of carefully guarded secret recipes. So cooking is in my blood and I enjoy it immensely. I love having dinner parties just so I can whip up fancy new recipes. And the college students are always happy to be my guests!
 
View Full Profile
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Find More Recipes