Lemon bar facts for kids
Lemon bar wrapped in parchment paper
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| Alternative names | Lemon square |
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| Type | Dessert Bar |
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients | Lemon curd, shortbread |
| Variations | Many variations exist |
A lemon bar, also known as a lemon square, is a super popular dessert in the United States. It has two main parts: a thin, buttery shortbread crust and a yummy, tangy lemon curd filling.
Contents
Where Did Lemon Bars Come From?
The first well-known recipe for lemon bars was printed in the Chicago Daily Tribune newspaper on August 27, 1962. A person named Eleanor Mickelson sent in this recipe. But, people might have been making lemon bars even earlier! Some mentions of "lemon squares" or "lemon bars" have been found in older community cookbooks or small local newspapers.
Lemon bars are made from two classic ingredients: lemon curd and shortbread. Both of these have their own interesting stories!
The Story of Lemon Curd
Lemon curd first appeared in England way back in the 1800s. The lemon curd from that time was a bit different from what we use today. It was more like a sour cream that was strained through a cloth to separate the liquid. Today's lemon curd is a smooth, thick, and tangy cream usually made with eggs, sugar, lemon juice, and butter.
The Story of Shortbread
Shortbread is a delicious, crumbly cookie that started in Scotland. People have been enjoying shortbread since the 12th century! It's known for being very buttery and sweet.
Lemon Bars Today
Lemon bars are a favorite dessert across the United States. You can often find them at parties, picnics, and family gatherings. There's even a special day just for them! October 15 is National Lemon Bar Day. This day was started in 2019 by Michael McCarthy. He created it after baking lemon bars for an event and realized many people had never tried them before!
What's Inside a Lemon Bar?
Even though recipes can be a little different, most lemon bar recipes use fresh lemon juice. Other common ingredients include butter, white sugar, flour, eggs, and salt. Many recipes also suggest dusting the top of the baked bars with confectioners sugar, which is also called powdered sugar. There are also many different kinds of lemon bars, with fun twists on the original recipe.
Allergies to Watch For
If you have allergies, it's good to know that lemon bars usually contain eggs, dairy (like butter), and gluten (from flour). But don't worry! There are special recipes for people with dietary needs, like gluten-free lemon bars or vegan lemon bars.
How Many Calories?
The nutrition information for lemon bars can change depending on the recipe. For example, a box mix for "Meyer Lemon bars" might say one 2-inch bar has about 140 calories. It could also have about 3 grams of fat, 26 grams of carbohydrates, and 20 grams of sugar. Remember, homemade bars will have different nutrition facts!
Baking Lemon Bars
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Lemon bars, like many other dessert bars, are usually baked in an oven. They are often made in a 9x13 inch baking pan. The type of pan can vary, but metal or glass pans are common.
Baking lemon bars usually happens in two steps. First, you bake the crust by itself for a little while. This helps make sure the crust gets firm and doesn't mix with the lemon filling. It also helps the crust support the lemon curd. Second, you pour the lemon curd on top of the partly baked crust. Then, you bake the whole thing until the lemon curd is set. Lemon bars are usually baked at a temperature below 400°F (200°C) to make sure they don't get overcooked.
If you want a quicker way to make them, you can also buy lemon bar box mixes!
Serving Them Up
Once the lemon bars are baked and have cooled down, you can cut them into squares or triangles. You can also sprinkle them with confectioners sugar on top. It's all up to what you like best!
