Lemon Bars With Berry Sauce

These Lemon Bars with Berry Sauce are one of the classic dessert recipes that every cook needs in his/her recipe box.

Hi! This is Mirlandra from MirlandrasKitchen.com. I’ll be stopping by It Is a Keeper each month to bring you something delicious!

I love lemons. I don’t just like them and enjoy cooking with them, I truly love them! If I’m ordering a sweet summer drink it’s lemonade. If I’m ordering a cocktail it’s a Lemon Drop. If I’m ordering dessert I have an eye out for Limoncello Mouse. But when I’m at somebody’s house and lemon bars are served, it feels like Christmas morning!

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A few years ago I was served the most sensational lemon bars at a ladies luncheon in Texas. I always enjoy lemon bars but a truly excellent bar is rare. I knew after the first bite that my hostess had the goods and to my delight she agreed to share the recipe with me. Every time I make a batch the disappear in record time.

This year I’m taking lemon bars and jazzing them up for Valentine’s Day. I know it seems crazy but you can actually make a lemon bar more delicious by adding a sweet strawberry-raspberry sauce on top of the bars. Add a dollop of whipped cream if you like and enjoy. I love chocolate and caramel and all things fudge but there is nothing quite so refreshing as a lemon and berry dessert.

The recipe is easy and not labor intensive. I have made the crust over and over in the least “correct” ways I could think of. Every time it turned perfectly flaky. The crust is so delicious that I was contemplating making a pan by itself and cutting it into cookie bars for a treat!

The filling does rely on fresh lemon juice. You can’t use something out of a bottle. I have tried it with Meyer lemons (they are in season now) and regular lemons. Both give great flavor.

If you plan to use Meyer lemons buy a few extra. Some of the ones I have purchased this year are not giving off as much juice as I would like. Make sure to save a little lemon juice for the saucy glaze I use to top the bars. I really brings everything together.

What will it be for a Valentine’s treat in your house? Lemon and berries or chocolate? Leave me a comment below!

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If you like this recipe, be sure to check out all of my classic dessert recipes!  Including these:

No Bake Lemon Ice Box Cake

Blueberry Lemon Quick Bread

Lemon Pull Apart Bread

Classic Dessert Recipes: Lemon Bars with Berry Sauce

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4.67 from 3 votes

Valentines Day Lemon Bars With Berry Sauce

Prep Time30 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 30 mins

Course: Dessert

Servings: 16 bars

Author: Mirlandra Neuneker

Ingredients

For the Crust

• 3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups salted butter - softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

For the Berry Sauce

• 2/3 cup strawberries - fresh or thawed from frozen
• 2/3 cup raspberries - fresh or thawed from frozen
• 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 Tbsp . Ball Instant Pectin Powder

For the Filling

• 4 eggs
• 4 Tbsp . lemon juice - you will need about 4 medium sized lemons total
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 Tbsp . flour
• 1 tsp . baking powder

For the Glaze

• 2/3 cup salted butter - melted
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp . lemon juice

Instructions

To Make the Crust

• Preheat oven to 350 F.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, butter and powdered sugar. Use hands to knead the dough until a sticky, crumbly dough forms. Use your fingers or a fork to press the dough into a 13x9 pan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges are just starting to brown a little bit.
• While the crust is baking make the berry sauce and squeeze the lemon juice for the filling.

To Make the Berry Sauce

• In a medium mixing bowl, mash fruit with a fork or potato masher until it is well smashed and still moderately chunky.
• Add sugar and pectin to the fruit. Stir for 3 minutes.
• Refrigerate the sauce until the bars are ready to serve.

To Make the Filling

• When the crust is done, leave the oven set to 350 F for the filling.
• In a medium mixing bowl whisk the eggs until they are slightly lighter in color.
• Add the lemon Juice, sugar, flour and baking powder. Whisk until no lumps remain. Pour over hot crust and bake for 25-30 minutes until filling is set.

To make the Glaze

• When the bars are done baking, make the glaze. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, powdered sugar and lemon juice until no lumps remain. Drizzle over the hot bars trying to cover the entire top. Using something to spread the glaze may damage the delicate tops of the bars.
• Allow bars to cool fully and serve with the Berry Sauce.

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Helpful Tips for All Recipes on It Is a Keeper

• Want to scale a recipe up or down? Simply type in a new serving amount and the recipe will automatically adjust! 
• When a recipe call for House Seasoning Blend, you can use this recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.  
• I always use unsalted butter in my recipes.
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• The nutritional information provided in this recipe is an estimate.  Learn more on how I calculate nutritional information for my recipes.