These Lavender Lemon Bars are a delightful treat that brings a unique twist to traditional lemon bars! With their vibrant balance of tangy lemon and fragrant lavender, they are perfect for any occasion, from summer picnics to elegant tea parties. The homemade lavender sugar adds a special touch, making these bars not only delicious but also visually stunning.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Unique Flavor Combination: The pairing of lemon and lavender creates a refreshing taste that sets these bars apart.
Easy to Make: With straightforward steps, you can whip up these bars in no time, even if you’re new to baking.
Versatile Dessert: Perfect for parties, brunches, or simply as an afternoon snack, these bars fit any occasion.
Impressive Presentation: Dusting with powdered sugar gives them a beautiful finish that will wow your guests.
Customizable: Feel free to adjust the sweetness or add additional flavors like berries for a personal touch.

Tools and Preparation

To create these Lavender Lemon Bars, you’ll need some essential tools for an efficient baking experience. Having the right equipment makes the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Essential Tools and Equipment

9×13-inch baking pan
Mixing bowls
Whisk
Rubber spatula
Fine mesh sieve (for dusting powdered sugar)

Importance of Each Tool

9×13-inch baking pan: Ensures even cooking and provides the perfect size for cutting bars.
Mixing bowls: Essential for combining ingredients without making a mess.
Whisk: Helps to achieve a smooth consistency for the filling.
Fine mesh sieve: Perfect for evenly dusting powdered sugar on top of your finished bars.

Ingredients

For the Crust

22.75 oz granulated sugar (3 ¼ cups)
2 TBSP culinary dried lavender
8 oz unsalted butter (1 cup), melted and slightly cooled
3.5 oz lavender sugar (1/2 cup)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
9 oz all-purpose flour (2 cups)

For the Filling

8 large eggs
1 ¼ cups fresh lemon juice
19.25 oz lavender sugar (2 3/4 cups)
Zest of 2 lemons (about 2 TBSP)
2.25 oz all-purpose flour (1/2 cup)
Powdered sugar (for serving)

How to Make Lavender Lemon Bars

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.

Step 2: Make the Crust

In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar, culinary dried lavender, melted butter, lavender sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and flour.
Mix until it forms a dough-like consistency.
Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your prepared pan.

Step 3: Bake the Crust

Bake in preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool slightly while you prepare the filling.

Step 4: Prepare the Filling

In another mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs and fresh lemon juice until well combined.
Gradually add in the remaining lavender sugar and lemon zest while whisking continuously.
Finally, sift in the all-purpose flour and mix until smooth.

Step 5: Combine and Bake

Pour the filling over the baked crust evenly. Return to oven and bake for an additional 40 minutes or until set in the center.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow your Lavender Lemon Bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, dust with powdered sugar before cutting into squares and serving. Enjoy!

How to Serve Lavender Lemon Bars

These Lavender Lemon Bars are not only delicious but also versatile. They can be enjoyed in various ways to enhance your dessert experience.

With Fresh Berries

Blueberries: The tartness complements the sweet and tangy flavor of the bars.
Raspberries: Their bright taste adds a burst of freshness that balances the richness.
Strawberries: Sliced strawberries on top create a beautiful presentation and sweet contrast.

With Whipped Cream

Lightly Sweetened Whipped Cream: A dollop on each bar adds a creamy texture that pairs perfectly with the citrus notes.
Flavored Whipped Cream: Consider adding vanilla or lavender essence for an extra layer of flavor.

As Part of a Dessert Platter

Variety of Desserts: Include cookies, mini tarts, and chocolate treats alongside Lavender Lemon Bars for a diverse dessert spread.
Seasonal Themes: Match your platter to the season with fruits or toppings that reflect the time of year.

With Iced Tea or Lemonade

Iced Lavender Lemonade: Enhance the lemon flavor with a refreshing drink that echoes the bar’s ingredients.
Sweetened Iced Tea: The subtle sweetness in tea makes it a perfect pairing for these tangy bars.

How to Perfect Lavender Lemon Bars

To achieve the best results with your Lavender Lemon Bars, keep these tips in mind.

Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh lemons and high-quality culinary lavender will enhance the flavors significantly.
Chill Before Serving: Allowing the bars to cool completely before cutting helps them set properly, giving you clean edges.
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on your bars while baking. They should be slightly jiggly in the center when done; they will firm up as they cool.
Sift Powdered Sugar: For serving, sifting powdered sugar over the top gives a beautiful finish and prevents clumping.

Best Side Dishes for Lavender Lemon Bars

Pairing side dishes with your Lavender Lemon Bars can elevate your dessert experience. Here are some great options:

Lemon Sorbet: A light and refreshing sorbet offers a citrusy kick that complements the lemon bars beautifully.
Fruit Salad: A mix of seasonal fruits provides freshness and balances out the sweetness of the bars.
Cheese Platter: Include soft cheeses like goat cheese or ricotta to add creaminess and depth to your dessert table.
Pistachio Cookies: These nutty cookies offer a crunchy contrast that pairs well with the texture of lemon bars.
Chocolate-Covered Pretzels: The salty-sweet combination enhances flavors without overpowering them.
Mini Cheesecakes: Individual cheesecakes can provide variety, offering rich flavors alongside your tangy lemon bars.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When making Lavender Lemon Bars, it’s easy to make some common mistakes that can affect the taste and texture. Here are a few to watch out for:

Using regular sugar instead of lavender sugar: Lavender sugar adds a unique flavor that enhances the bars. To avoid this mistake, make your own by blending dried lavender with granulated sugar.
Not measuring ingredients accurately: Precision is key in baking. Use a kitchen scale or measuring cups to ensure you’re using the right amounts for each ingredient.
Overbaking the bars: Overbaked Lavender Lemon Bars can become dry and lose their creamy texture. Keep an eye on them and remove them from the oven as soon as the edges are set.
Skipping the zest: The lemon zest adds essential flavor to your bars. Don’t skip this step; it brightens up the overall taste!
Using old lemons: Fresh lemons provide better juice and flavor. Always choose firm, vibrant lemons for juicing.
Not letting them cool completely: Cutting into warm bars can lead to messy results. Allow them to cool completely before slicing for clean edges.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator Storage

Store Lavender Lemon Bars in an airtight container.
They will stay fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Freezing Lavender Lemon Bars

Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap.
Place wrapped bars in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months.

Reheating Lavender Lemon Bars

Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Warm bars for about 10-15 minutes until they are warmed through.
Microwave: Heat one bar at a time for about 15-20 seconds on medium power.
Stovetop: Place a bar in a skillet over low heat, covering it until warmed through.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make lavender sugar for Lavender Lemon Bars?

You can easily make lavender sugar by grinding dried culinary lavender with granulated sugar in a blender or food processor until it reaches a fine consistency.

Can I substitute other herbs in Lavender Lemon Bars?

Yes, you can experiment with other herbs like thyme or rosemary, but keep in mind that they will change the flavor profile significantly.

What’s the best way to serve Lavender Lemon Bars?

Lavender Lemon Bars are delightful served chilled with a dusting of powdered sugar on top. They pair wonderfully with a cup of tea!

How long do Lavender Lemon Bars last?

Properly stored in an airtight container, these delicious bars can last up to 5 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months if frozen.

Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh juice?

While bottled lemon juice is convenient, fresh lemon juice offers a brighter flavor that enhances your Lavender Lemon Bars.

Final Thoughts

These Lavender Lemon Bars are not only delicious but also versatile, perfect for any occasion! You can customize them by adding different citrus flavors or adjusting the sweetness. Don’t hesitate to try this refreshing dessert; your friends and family will love it!

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Lavender Lemon Bars

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Author: Jessica
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x

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Description

Indulge in the exquisite taste of Lavender Lemon Bars, a delightful twist on traditional lemon squares. These bars combine the refreshing zing of freshly squeezed lemon juice with the fragrant notes of culinary lavender, creating a unique dessert experience that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a summer picnic or an elegant tea party, these bars will impress your guests with their vibrant flavors and stunning presentation. Topped with a light dusting of powdered sugar, they are not only a visual treat but also a deliciously satisfying dessert that can be enjoyed alone or paired with fresh berries and whipped cream.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan.
For the crust, mix granulated sugar, culinary lavender, melted butter, lavender sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and flour until dough forms. Press into prepared pan.
Bake the crust for about 20 minutes until lightly golden.
For the filling, whisk eggs and lemon juice in a bowl, gradually adding lavender sugar and zest. Sift in flour and mix until smooth.
Pour filling over baked crust and bake for another 40 minutes or until set.
Cool completely before dusting with powdered sugar and cutting into squares.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American