Description
These Limoncello Bars are a zesty, creamy twist on classic lemon bars, featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, silky lemon-limoncello filling, and fluffy whipped topping. Perfect for summer gatherings, brunches, or citrus lovers looking for a refreshing dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, plus more for greasing the dish
- 24 full-size graham cracker sheets (about 12 ounces) or 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 medium lemons (for 1 cup juice and 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons zest)
- 6 large egg yolks
- 2 (14-ounce) cans sweetened condensed milk
- 1/2 cup limoncello
- 1 cup cold heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Grease a 9×13-inch glass baking dish and line with parchment paper.
- Crush graham crackers in a food processor with sugar and salt until fine crumbs form. Mix in melted butter.
- Press the crust mixture into the prepared dish. Bake for 12–15 minutes until edges darken. Let cool slightly.
- Zest and juice the lemons to get 1 cup juice and 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons zest.
- In a mixer bowl, beat egg yolks briefly. Slowly add condensed milk, then beat until thickened (about 2 minutes).
- Add lemon juice, 1 tablespoon zest, and limoncello. Beat until just combined. Pour over the baked crust.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, until filling is just set. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour, then refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Before serving, whip cream with powdered sugar, vanilla, and remaining zest until stiff peaks form.
- Lift chilled bars from dish, slice into 24 portions, and top with piped or dolloped whipped cream.
Notes
- The crust can be made 1 day ahead and stored at room temperature.
- Bars can be refrigerated for up to 1 week or frozen for up to 4 months.
- Use fresh lemon juice for best flavor.
- Clean knife between cuts for sharp slices.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg