Lemon squares - Eat Well Recipe - NZ Herald (2024)

Lemon squares - Eat Well Recipe - NZ Herald (1)

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Lemon squares - Eat Well Recipe - NZ Herald (2)

By

Jan Bilton

Food writer and cookbook author.

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Lemon squares pictured in the foreground

Base

100 gButter
187 ½ gCondensed milk
250 gMalt biscuits
1 cupDesiccated coconut
1Lemon (Main)

Icing

100 gCream cheese (Main)
25 gButter
1Lemon (Main)
1 ¼ cupsIcing sugar

Directions

  1. Grease the base of a 28cm x 20cm slice pan. Line the base with baking paper.
  2. Melt the butter and combine with the condensed milk. Finely crush the buscuits, grate the lemon rind and add to the remaining ingredients.
  3. Press into the pan. Level the top by rolling with a straight-sided glass.
  4. To prepare the icing, soften the cream cheese and butter and beat together well. Add the lemons rind. Gradually mix in the icing sugar to the required consistency.
  5. Spread over the biscuit base and refrigerate. When firm, cut into squares. Decorate the top as preferred. Some recommended garnishes are lemon peel, chopped candied peel or icing flowers.

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Lemon squares - Eat Well Recipe - NZ Herald (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to cutting lemon squares? ›

To ensure even and clean cuts, it's helpful to score the lemon bars before cutting them fully. This means lightly marking the desired shapes with your knife or spatula without applying too much pressure. This step acts as a guide and prevents the crust from crumbling or the filling from oozing out when cutting.

Why is my lemon squares soggy? ›

If they used much more lemon juice, they'd: have to bake their bars for a long time to set them up, end up with a soggy crust, and. probably have curdled edges, where the hot pan would overcook the edges while waiting for the center to firm up.

How do you keep lemon squares fresh? ›

Lemon bars should be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated in order to prevent bacterial growth or foodborne illness. The filling in lemon bars is made with eggs and can become a breeding ground for bacteria if it's kept in the danger zone (between 41 and 153 degrees F).

What is lemon square made of? ›

Ingredients. Recipes vary slightly, but lemon bar recipes call for lemon juice, and many suggest fresh squeezed. Other ingredients include butter, white sugar, flour, eggs, and salt. Many recipes also list confectioners sugar, also called powdered sugar, for dusting on the top after the bars are baked.

How do you cut lemon bars without sticking to the knife? ›

For easier cutting, you can chill the lemon bars in the refrigerator for a short time before cutting. Wipe the knife clean after each cut to avoid any build-up of sticky residue. If the lemon bars are sticking to the knife, try dipping it in warm water and drying it before making the next cut.

Can you leave lemon squares out overnight? ›

Is it okay to leave lemon bars out overnight? It is o.k,actually. Baked goods like lemon bars are acidic enough and contain enough fat and sugar,which exclude water from bacterial use, that there is no problem keeping them at room temperature for up to 24 hours; well wrapped.

Should lemon squares be refrigerated? ›

Do lemon bars need to be refrigerated? Yes, it's best to store lemon bars in the refrigerator. To store them, simply cover them with plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge. Stored this way, your lemon bars should keep for about 1 week.

Do lemon squares need to be refrigerated? ›

While you can leave some baked goods like banana bread in an airtight container on your kitchen counter, lemon bars always need to go in the fridge. According to Allrecipes, bacteria can grow in lemon bars when kept between 41 and 153 degrees Fahrenheit because of the eggs in the custard filling.

How long do lemon squares last in the refrigerator? ›

Cover and store leftover lemon bars in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freezing Instructions: Lemon bars can be frozen for up to 3-4 months. Cut the cooled bars (without confectioners' sugar topping) into squares, then place onto a baking sheet. Freeze for 1 hour.

Can I Rebake undercooked lemon bars? ›

This will keep them from spreading and becoming sticky. Can you rebake undercooked lemon bars? Results may vary, but it's worth a shot! Throw them back in the oven at the original temperature and rotate every 5 minutes until it appears done.

Can you leave lemon squares out? ›

Serving, Storing, and Freezing

Serving: Lemon bars are fine to keep out at room temperature for up to 6 hours or so. Storing: Store cooked lemon bars or leftovers in the refrigerator. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and store for up to 2 days. Make-Ahead: You can make lemon bars up to two days in advance.

What country is Lemon Square from? ›

They're a privately owned family business based in the Philippines, founded by the husband and wife partnership of Mr. Errol Vergel De Dios and Mrs. Nina Vergel De Dios.

How do you keep powdered sugar from melting on lemon bars? ›

To Keep Powdered Sugar from Melting, Add Cornstarch

So go slow and be conservative with the amount of cornstarch you add. A good rule of thumb is 1 teaspoon of cornstarch for every 1/4 cup of powdered sugar used.

Who invented lemon squares? ›

Food historians can not identify the exact origin of lemon squares, so Mrs. Mickelson's recipe submission to the Chicago Daily Tribune serves as the first known printed recipe. In 1963, the R&D team at Betty Crocker Inc.

How do you cut a perfect lemon wheel? ›

With your canelle, cut equally spaced vertical grooves in the lemon—from the top to bottom. Then cut the lemon into ⅛"-¼" slices. You can use the slices as garnish or take it one step further to make lemon twists. Take a wheel and make one cut (rind to center), then twist the ends in opposite directions.

How do you cut tray bakes evenly? ›

Any bright ideas on how to cut them without cracking and straight? Hi, Use a Hot Serrated Knife - so run the hot water and place the knife under it. Dry with a tissue and cut your tray bakes.

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