Creamy Lemon Squares

Indulge in the delightful fusion of citrus flavors with our Creamy Lemon Squares recipe. Perfect for any occasion, these squares offer a harmonious blend of tangy lemon and lime, balanced by a buttery crust that crumbles with every bite.

Whether you’re craving a zesty treat for a summer picnic or a refreshing dessert to brighten up a dreary day, these squares are sure to hit the spot. With a creamy, velvety texture and a burst of citrus in every mouthful, they’re guaranteed to become a favorite among friends and family alike. So, roll up your sleeves, preheat the oven, and get ready to experience a taste of sunshine with our Creamy Lemon Squares!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Refreshing Citrus Flavor: The combination of fresh lemon and lime juice in the creamy filling provides a burst of citrusy brightness that is both refreshing and uplifting.

Creamy Texture: The filling, made with sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks, creates a velvety smooth texture that melts in your mouth with each bite, offering a satisfyingly rich and creamy experience.

Perfect Balance of Sweetness and Tartness: The sweetened condensed milk adds sweetness to the filling, while the lemon and lime juices contribute tartness. The harmonious balance between sweet and tart flavors creates a delightful taste sensation.

Buttery, Nutty Crust: The combination of graham cracker crumbs, almond flour (or ground nuts), sugar, and lime zest forms a buttery, nutty crust with a hint of citrus flavor. It provides a delicious contrast to the creamy filling.

Versatile Dessert: Creamy Lemon Squares are versatile and suitable for various occasions, including parties, potlucks, picnics, or simply as a sweet treat to enjoy with family and friends.

Easy to Make: Despite its gourmet taste, this recipe is relatively simple to prepare, requiring only a few basic ingredients and minimal effort. It’s a great option for both novice and experienced bakers alike.

Appealing Presentation: When cut into neat squares and dusted with powdered sugar or garnished with lemon zest, Creamy Lemon Squares present beautifully, making them visually appealing for serving at gatherings or special occasions.

Crowd-Pleaser: The vibrant citrus flavor and creamy texture of these lemon squares are sure to please a wide range of palates, making them a crowd-pleasing dessert option for any occasion.

Nostalgic Appeal: For many, the bright and sunny flavor of lemon desserts evokes feelings of nostalgia and comfort, making Creamy Lemon Squares a beloved and cherished treat that brings back fond memories of homemade baking and special moments shared with loved ones.

Ingredients:

For The Crust

– 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for pan

– 2/3 cup almond flour or ground nuts (any you prefer)

– 1 cup (4 ounces) graham-cracker crumbs

– 1/4 cup sugar

– 1 tablespoons grated lime zest

For The Filling

– 2 large egg yolks

– 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

– 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (around 5 medium limes)

– 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (around 1 medium lemon)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush an 8-inch square baking dish with melted butter. (This step is important because it will make it easy for you to remove the parchment paper later.) Line bottom with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two sides.

To make the crust:

– Whisk almond flour/ground nuts with graham-cracker crumbs, sugar, and zest.

– Mix in butter. Press mixture into bottom and 1 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 12 minutes. Cool crust, 30 minutes.

To make the filling:

– In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and condensed milk. Add lime juice and lemon juice; whisk until smooth. Pour filling into cooled crust; carefully spread to edges.

– Bake until set, about 15 minutes. Cool in pan on rack; then chill at least 1 hour before serving.

– Using parchment paper overhang, lift out of pan, and transfer to a cutting board. With a serrated knife, cut into 16 squares, wiping knife with a damp kitchen towel between each cut.

Notes:

Butter for Pan: Greasing the baking dish with melted butter ensures that the lemon squares won’t stick to the pan, making it easier to remove and serve them later.

Crust Consistency: The crust combines almond flour or ground nuts with graham-cracker crumbs, sugar, and lime zest for a flavorful and slightly nutty base. Pressing the mixture firmly into the pan creates a sturdy crust that holds up well against the creamy filling.

Baking the Crust: Pre-baking the crust until lightly browned helps to set it and prevent sogginess once the filling is added. Allow the crust to cool before pouring in the filling to prevent it from melting or becoming too soft.

Creamy Filling: The filling is made by whisking together egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, fresh lime juice, and fresh lemon juice until smooth. The combination of citrus juices creates a tangy and refreshing flavor profile that balances the sweetness of the condensed milk.

Baking the Filling: Bake the filled crust just until the filling is set, about 15 minutes. Be careful not to overbake, as this can result in a dry or rubbery texture. The squares will continue to firm up as they cool.

Chilling Before Serving: Cooling the lemon squares in the pan and then chilling them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving allows the filling to fully set and the flavors to meld together. This step also makes it easier to cut the squares into neat portions.

Cutting into Squares: Lift the chilled lemon squares out of the pan using the parchment paper overhang, then transfer them to a cutting board. Use a serrated knife to cut them into 16 squares, wiping the knife with a damp kitchen towel between each cut to ensure clean edges.

Storage: Store any leftover lemon squares in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several days. They can also be frozen for longer-term storage, although the texture may be slightly affected upon thawing.

Nutrition Information:

YIELDS: 16 squares | SERVING SIZE: 1 square

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use store-bought graham cracker crumbs instead of grinding my own?

Yes, store-bought graham cracker crumbs can be used instead of grinding your own graham crackers.

Ensure that the total amount matches the recipe.

Can I use a different type of flour for the crust if I have allergies to almonds or nuts?

Yes, you can substitute almond flour with an equal amount of another type of flour, such as all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour blend.

The texture and flavor may vary slightly.

Is it necessary to pre-bake the crust before adding the filling?

Yes, pre-baking the crust helps to ensure that it sets properly and maintains its structure when the filling is added.

This prevents the crust from becoming soggy.

Can I make the lemon squares in advance and store them?

Yes, you can make the lemon squares in advance and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to several days.

They can also be frozen for longer storage.

Can I use bottled lemon and lime juice instead of fresh?

Fresh lemon and lime juice provide the best flavor for the filling.

However, if fresh citrus is not available, you can use bottled lemon and lime juice as a substitute.

Adjust the quantity to taste.

What can I do if my filling is not setting properly after baking?

If the filling is not setting properly after baking, it may need additional time in the oven.

Return the pan to the oven and bake in short intervals until the filling is set. Be careful not to overbake.

Can I add additional flavorings or extracts to the filling for variation?

Yes, you can customize the flavor of the filling by adding extracts such as vanilla or almond extract.

Adjust the amount to taste and mix it in with the other filling ingredients.

Are Creamy Lemon Squares suitable for people with gluten allergies?

The crust of this recipe contains graham cracker crumbs, which typically contain gluten.

However, you can use gluten-free graham crackers or gluten-free graham cracker crumbs to make the recipe gluten-free.

Can I use a different type of citrus fruit for the filling, such as oranges or grapefruits?

While this recipe calls for lemon and lime juice, you can experiment with other citrus fruits for different flavor variations.

Keep in mind that the tartness and sweetness levels may vary.

Can I omit the lime zest if I don’t have it on hand?

The lime zest adds a bright citrus flavor to the crust, but you can omit it if you don’t have it available.

The crust will still have a delicious flavor from the other ingredients.