Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup powdered sugar
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Filling:
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
Zest of 1 lemon
4 large egg yolks
For the Topping:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Prepare the Crust:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and powdered sugar. Add the melted unsalted butter and mix until the ingredients are well combined and form a crumbly dough.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, ensuring it's firmly packed.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 12–15 minutes, or until it turns a light golden color. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the Filling: 5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, freshly squeezed lemon juice, lemon zest, and egg yolks until the mixture is smooth and well combined. 6. Pour the lemon filling over the pre-baked crust, spreading it evenly with a spatula. 7. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles when gently shaken. 8. Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Prepare the Topping: 9. In a chilled mixing bowl, combine the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. 10. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, indicating the whipped cream is ready. 11. Once the lemon bars have cooled completely, spread the whipped cream topping evenly over the lemon layer. 12. Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the topping to set.
Serve: 13. After chilling, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the baking dish. 14. Place on a cutting board and slice into squares or rectangles, as desired. 15. Serve chilled and enjoy the creamy, tangy delight of these Lazy Day Lemon Cream Pie Bars.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
Kcal: Approximately 300 per serving | Servings: 9 bars