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Sunburst Lemon Bars

Sweet lemon pie citrus filling with an almond flavored shortbread cookie crust.  Topped with a tart lemon glaze. Everyone loves these Sunburst Lemon Bars and they couldn't be easier to make!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 32
Author Jessica @ swankyrecipes.com

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup powdered confectioners' sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup packed almond paste

Filling

  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice about 2 lemons

Icing

  • 1 cup powdered confectioners' sugar
  • 2 - 3 tablespoons lemon juice or water

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350°F. Line a 13x9-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Do not use foil for this recipe.  If you don't have parchment paper to easily remove bars from pan after baking then proceed with an ungreased baking pan. 
    In large bowl fit with a mixer, beat base ingredients on low speed until dough comes together. Press mixture evenly in bottom of a 13x9-inch pan. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until light golden brown.
    In medium bowl whisk eggs. Beat in filling ingredients; granulated sugar, flour, baking powder, and lemon zest. Beat in 1/4 cup lemon juice.
    Remove partially baked base from oven. Pour filling evenly over warm base.
    Return to oven; bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until top is light golden brown. If top starts to get too brown, cover with foil and continue to bake until center has settled.  Cool completely, about 1 hour.
    In a small bowl, combine powdered confectioners' sugar and lemon juice or water.  Evenly spread glaze over the top of the cooled bar.
    Refrigerate until center is set then cut into bars.