Easy Yuzu Shortbread Bars
These yuzu bars are an easy lemon bar variation. The crust is a simple shortbread and the filling only takes four ingredients! It's a quick and easy yuzu dessert perfect for introducing friends and family to this Japanese citrus.
Equipment
- 8x8" or 9x9" square baking pan
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter 115g
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar 60g
- 1 cup all purpose flour 125g
For the Filling
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200g
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour 15g
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup yuzu juice
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar for dusting optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and line a 9x9" square baking tin.
- With an electric beater or stand mixer, cream butter, salt, and powdered sugar for the crust until light and fluffy.
- Add in one cup flour and mix until just combined. Do not overwork the dough. Dough may still be crumbly.
- Pour dough into baking tin and use the palm of your hand to firmly press it into a crust.
- Use a fork to poke some holes in the crust to let steam escape during baking, and bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are just turning golden brown. Remove tin from oven while you mix the filling, which should only take about five minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk sugar and flour until well combined. Add in the eggs and yuzu juice and gently stir until combined, trying not to add to much air to your filling.
- Pour filling over your still warm crust and place bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is just set. Filling may still jiggle but should not be runny.
- Put bars in the fridge to cool down before dusting and slicing. Warm filling will likely be too gooey to slice. When cool, sift powdered sugar, if using, over the top and slice into squares. Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar can be substituted for the powdered sugar in the crust.
- The acidity of yuzu juice varies WILDLY between brands. Please taste test your juice before using. Some brands use yuzu extract or concentrate and will be way too tart. If your juice is extremely tart, you can dilute it with water. Aim for it to taste about as tart as lemon juice.
- Overbaking the bars or pouring the egg mixture into a very hot baking tin may result in eggs curdling.
- Feel free to add 1/4 tsp almond extract or orange blossom water to the filling to add some floral notes!