Tangy Blackberry Lemon Bars Delight (Printer-friendly)

A balance of sweet and tart in luscious blackberry lemon bars.

# What You'll 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

# Directions:

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 is impressively easy yet looks stunning, making it perfect for entertaining.
  • The fresh blackberries add a hint of nature's sweetness that harmonizes beautifully with the tartness of the lemon.
02 -
  • If you use frozen blackberries, make sure to thaw and drain them for the best flavor.
  • For an extra punch of lemon flavor, consider adding more zest to the filling.
03 -
  • Using parchment paper helps with easy cleanup and ensures your bars lift out neatly.
  • Chill the bars thoroughly; it helps the flavors meld beautifully and makes slicing cleaner.
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