Lemon Thyme Shortbread Bars

Tammy Smith

These shortbread bars have a buttery, crumbly base topped with a sharp lemon curd that sets firm enough to slice cleanly. Fresh thyme is worked into the curd, adding a subtle herbal note that keeps the bars from tasting purely sweet. They bake in about 40 minutes and can be made a day ahead.

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Prep Time 30

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1 10

Course Dessert

Cuisine British / Irish

Servings bars

Calories 370 kcal

Equipment

Mixing Bowl
9x9 inch baking pan
Electric Mixer
Microplane or fine grater
Spatula
Cooling Rack

Ingredients

For the Shortbread Base:

1 cup unsalted butter softened
½ cup granulated sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour sifted

For the Lemon Thyme Topping:

3 large eggs beaten
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
½ cup fresh lemon juice about 3 lemons
1 tablespoon lemon zest finely grated
¼ cup all-purpose flour sifted
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves finely chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x9-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and 1/2 cup of granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Gradually add 2 cups of sifted flour to the butter mixture, mixing until a crumbly dough forms. Press this mixture into the prepared baking pan and level it with a spatula. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let cool.
For the topping, whisk together the eggs, 1 1/2 cups sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest until fully combined. Stir in 1/4 cup flour and chopped thyme leaves until smooth.
Pour the lemon thyme mixture over the cooled shortbread base, spreading it evenly. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the topping is set and lightly golden at the edges.
Allow the bars to cool on a rack. Once cooled, lift them out using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into bars and serve.

Notes

For a more pronounced thyme flavor, gently bruise the thyme leaves before chopping them.
If you prefer a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcalCarbohydrates: 52gProtein: 4gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 21mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 1gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 549IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 17mgIron: 1mg

Keyword Lemon Thyme Shortbread Bars

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