A Bright Twist on a Classic Treat
If you love lemon bars but want something just a little extra, these Lemon Amaretti Squares might be your new favorite dessert. Sweet and tangy with a soft, nutty cookie crust, they taste like a bright summer’s day. One (or maybe two) small squares are all you need to satisfy your craving for something fresh and indulgent.
Inspired By A Pretty Portuguese Mercado Find
The idea for these lemon squares came after a visit to my local mercado in Portugal, where I picked up a charming tin of Amaretti cookies. Honestly, the tin was so pretty, I nearly bought it for the packaging alone. But one bite of the chewy almond confections inside, and I was hooked.
Why Lemon and Amaretti Work So Well
Pairing lemon with amaretto-flavored cookies is a match made in dessert heaven. The bright citrus notes from the lemon curd complement the deep, nutty almond flavor of the Amaretti, elevating the familiar lemon square into something insanely delicious.
Easy to Make, Beautiful to Serve
These bars are:
-
Simple to prepare (no special tools required)
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Beautiful enough for a dinner party
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Easy to make ahead and store in the fridge
Whether you’re planning a brunch, tea party, or just need a treat to brighten your day, these Lemon Amaretti Squares are a showstopper that tastes as good as they look.
Lemon Amaretti Squares
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3-4 soft Amaretti cookies use 4 if you want a strong almond flavour
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
Instructions
- Butter or oil a 9×13-inch pan. Then line it with a single sheet of parchment across the width of the pan, allowing it to overhang the sides by a couple of inches. This will help you remove the bars from the dish when it has cooled.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees
- Place the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- Using your hands, break up the Amaretti cookies into small pieces and work them into the flour mixture.
- Pour the melted butter over the dry mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until the mixture is well combined.
- Press the dough firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden in color.
- Remove the pan from the oven and immediately pour the custard into it while the crust is hot.
Step by Step
Lemon Amaretti Squares
Ingredients
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice 3-4 lemons
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until the sugar is dissolved.
- Add the lemon juice and melted butter, stirring until well combined.
- Sift the flour into a large bowl and then slowly pour the egg mixture into it a little at a time, while continuosly whisking to remove any lumps.
- Pour the mixture over the hot baked crust and place in oven.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely.
- Refrigerate for three or more hours.
- Dust with confectioners’ sugar and cut into squares.
My first lemon bar recipe was inspired by both my mother, Inger, and my mother-in-law, Charlotte. I wrote about it in my blog post Under The Lemon Tree.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:
LEMON GINGER SCONE RECIPE
PRESERVED LEMONS
LEMON BLUEBERRY PANCAKES
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