Lemon Meringue Bars

Total Time: 1 hr 40 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon zest, freshly grated
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest, freshly grated
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 6 large eggs
• 4 large egg whites
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350°f.
• 2 make crust: put butter, flour, confectioner's sugar, 2 tsp lemon zest, and the salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. mix on medium speed until blended.
• 3 transfer mixture to a 9 x 13-inch rimmed baking sheet. press batter evenly into baking sheet. bake 20-22 minutes till golden brown. chill in freezer for 10 minutes. let cool completely on a wire rack.
• 4 make filling: whisk together whole eggs, 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, the lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons lemon zest. pour over crust. bake for 18 to 20 minutes making sure the filling is set. let cool completely on a wire rack. keep oven at 350°.
• 5 make meringue topping: put egg whites and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in the clean bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
• 6 using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon, spread meringue over filling, swirling to create soft peaks. bake util meringue begins to brown, 8 to minutes. let cool completely. cut into bars. bars can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 day.