Sweet & Zesty Lemon Meringue Bars Recipe for Citrus Lovers

Zesty lemons and delicate meringue dance together in these irresistible lemon meringue bars that promise a burst of sunshine on your plate.

The tangy lemon curd nestled between a buttery shortbread crust creates a harmonious blend of flavors that will make your taste buds sing.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of sweet and tart, showcasing the magic of simple ingredients.

Smooth, silky meringue crowns these bars with a cloud-like elegance that melts in your mouth.

The golden-brown peaks add a stunning visual contrast to the bright lemon filling.

These bars are a showstopping dessert that transforms an ordinary afternoon into a delightful culinary experience.

You’ll want to savor every single crumb of this mouthwatering treat.

Lemon Meringue Bars That Balance Sweet and Tart Perfectly

• Savor Hearty Comfort: These potato pancakes pack a delicious punch with their meaty beef filling and crispy potato exterior, creating a satisfying meal that feels like a warm hug.
• Master Versatile Cooking: Perfect for home cooks looking to elevate their skills, this recipe combines simple techniques like grating, mixing, and stuffing to create an impressive dish that looks gourmet but is totally achievable.
• Customize Your Flavor: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef for other proteins like chicken or adding different spices to match your taste preferences, making it a flexible meal for various palates.
• Crowd-Pleasing Presentation: These stuffed potato pancakes are guaranteed to wow dinner guests or family members with their beautiful golden-brown appearance and surprise cheese and meat filling.

Key Ingredients for Lemon Meringue Bars

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: A classic base that provides a sweet and crunchy foundation for the bars.
• Butter: Helps bind the crust and adds rich flavor.
• Sugar: Enhances the sweetness of the crust.
• Salt: Balances the overall flavor profile.

• Lemons: Provide bright, tangy citrus flavor and essential acidity.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps thicken the lemon curd.
• Eggs: Act as a natural thickening agent for the curd.
• Butter: Adds smoothness and rich texture to the lemon filling.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor complexity.

• Egg Whites: Create the light and fluffy texture of the topping.
• Granulated Sugar: Stabilizes and sweetens the meringue.
• Vanilla Bean, Vanilla Extract: Add depth and aromatic sweetness to the meringue.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.

How to Make Lemon Meringue Bars Step-by-Step

Step 1: Create the Buttery Crust

Grab your 8×8 inch pan and line it with parchment paper. Warm up the oven to 350°F.

Mix together the crust ingredients until they form a cohesive mixture. Press the crumbly goodness firmly into the pan’s bottom, creating an even layer.

Bake until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown, about 20-25 minutes. Let it cool completely.

Step 2: Craft the Zesty Lemon Curd

• Freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Eggs
• Salt

Whisk everything together over medium-low heat.

Keep stirring until the mixture transforms into a thick, luxurious custard that coats the back of a spoon. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to eliminate any pesky lumps.

Fold in melted butter until silky smooth.

Step 3: Layer the Lemon Magic

Carefully pour the bright lemon curd over the cooled crust.

Slide back into the oven and bake for about 12 minutes until the curd sets perfectly. Allow to cool completely, then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Step 4: Whip Up Fluffy Meringue Topping

• Egg whites
• Granulated sugar
• Scraped vanilla bean
• Vanilla extract

Whisk vigorously over gentle heat until the mixture forms impressive stiff peaks.

Sprinkle in a pinch of salt and continue whisking until everything is beautifully combined.

Step 5: Brown and Beautify

Spread the cloud-like meringue generously over the chilled lemon curd.

Pop under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully as the top turns a perfect golden brown. The meringue should look crisp and irresistible.

Step 6: Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the bars to set the final touches. Slice into perfect squares and serve chilled.

Prepare for a burst of tangy, sweet, and utterly delightful flavor in every bite!

Tips for Flawless Lemon Meringue Bars

• Roll lemons on the counter before zesting to release more oils and maximize flavor extraction.
• Whisk continuously and maintain low heat to avoid egg curdling and ensure silky smooth texture.
• Refrigerate bars for at least 4 hours to help them set firmly and cut cleanly into neat squares.
• Ensure egg whites are at room temperature and use a clean, grease-free bowl for maximum volume and stability.
• Watch meringue closely during broiling to prevent burning and achieve a beautiful golden-brown color.

Variations to Try on Lemon Meringue Bars

• Gluten-Free Lemon Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour in the crust for a gluten-free alternative that maintains a delicious crumbly texture.
• Vegan Citrus Bars: Substitute eggs with silken tofu or aquafaba, use coconut cream instead of butter, and swap egg whites with aquafaba for meringue topping.
• Lime Meringue Variation: Swap lemon juice and zest with fresh lime for a tangy tropical flavor profile that adds a zesty kick to the classic dessert.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of granulated sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining the dessert's delightful sweetness.

What Complements Lemon Meringue Bars Well

• Pair Zesty Chardonnay: Select a crisp, unoaked Chardonnay with bright citrus notes that complement the lemon's tanginess and match the dessert's refreshing profile.
• Serve Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Brew a delicate Earl Grey with subtle lavender undertones that echoes the dessert's elegant flavor and provides a soothing counterpoint to the sharp lemon.
• Enhance with Candied Lemon Peel: Garnish the plate with thin, sugared lemon peels that add texture and intensify the citrus essence, creating a visually appealing and flavor-boosting accompaniment.
• Create Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream: Dollop a light, homemade vanilla bean whipped cream beside the bars to soften the lemon's acidity and introduce a creamy, smooth element to the dessert.

How to Store Lemon Meringue Bars Correctly

• Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the bars flat to prevent meringue from sliding or breaking.
• Wrap the baked crust and lemon curd separately in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before assembling.
• Warm slightly at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving, as it can make meringue soggy and deflate the delicate texture.
• Separate bars with parchment paper before storing to prevent sticking. This method helps maintain the bars' shape and makes grabbing a quick treat easier.

FAQs

• What makes the lemon curd smooth and creamy?

The lemon curd becomes smooth by whisking the mixture over medium-low heat until thickened and straining it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps. Stirring in melted butter at the end helps create a silky texture.

• How do I know when the lemon curd is properly cooked?

The lemon curd is ready when it thickens and coats the back of a spoon. This means the mixture has reached the right consistency and will set properly when baked.

• Why use a double boiler for the meringue?

A double boiler helps create a stable and smooth meringue by gently heating the egg whites and sugar, preventing them from scrambling and ensuring they reach the right temperature for stiff peaks to form.

Lemon Meringue Bars Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Zesty lemon meringue bars combine tangy citrus with silky sweet meringue in a perfect dessert balance. Crisp buttery crust and cloudlike topping make these bars an irresistible treat you’ll crave after every meal.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 160g (1 1/4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 113g (1/2 cup or 1 stick) unsalted butter
• 52g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar

Sweeteners:

• 26g (1/4 cup) powdered sugar

Additional Ingredients:

• 2–4 tablespoons poppy seeds
• Pinch of fine sea salt

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare a parchment-lined 8×8 inch pan and heat the oven to 350°F for creating a sturdy foundation for the lemon bars.
2. Blend crust ingredients thoroughly and firmly press the mixture into the pan’s base, ensuring an even layer.
3. Bake the crust for 20-25 minutes until achieving a golden, firm texture that provides a crisp base for the filling.
4. Create a fragrant lemon mixture by combining zest with granulated sugar, then incorporate lemon juice, eggs, and salt.
5. Gently cook the lemon mixture over medium-low heat, continuously whisking until the consistency thickens and coats a spoon.
6. Strain the lemon curd through a fine mesh sieve to eliminate any potential lumps, ensuring a silky smooth texture.
7. Fold melted butter into the strained lemon curd, creating a rich, glossy filling.
8. Pour the lemon curd evenly over the cooled shortbread crust and bake for 12 minutes until the filling sets completely.
9. Refrigerate the bars for a minimum of 4 hours to allow complete cooling and firm setting.
10. Prepare the meringue by whisking egg whites, sugar, vanilla bean, and extract over a double boiler until stiff peaks form.
11. Add a pinch of salt to the meringue and continue whisking to achieve a smooth, glossy consistency.
12. Generously spread the meringue across the chilled lemon curd, creating decorative peaks and swirls.
13. Broil for 1-2 minutes, carefully monitoring to achieve a golden-brown, crisp meringue topping.
14. Chill the completed bars in the refrigerator before slicing and serving for the perfect texture and flavor.

Notes

• Ensure parchment paper extends beyond pan edges for easy removal of bars, preventing stuck edges.
• Zest lemons before juicing to maximize flavor extraction and prevent waste of citrus essential oils.
• Use room temperature eggs for smoother, more consistent lemon curd texture and better ingredient integration.
• When whisking lemon curd, maintain steady medium-low heat to prevent egg scrambling and achieve silky consistency.
• For perfectly browned meringue, position oven rack close to broiler and watch carefully to avoid burning.
• Create stable meringue by adding sugar gradually and whisking at consistent temperature over double boiler.
• Chill bars completely before cutting to achieve clean, precise slices with minimal crumbling.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 190 kcal
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 40 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg