LEMON-BLUEBERRY BARS

Lemon-Blueberry Bars image

Provided by Hedy Goldsmith

Categories dessert

Time 1h40m

Yield 12 to 14 squares

Number Of Ingredients 14

8 ounces cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes, plus more for the baking dish
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup dehydrated blueberries ground to a powder (you should have 1/3 cup powder)
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
4 large eggs, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup plus 1 Tbs. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 Tbs. finely grated lemon zest
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 pint (1 cup) fresh blueberries
Confectioners' sugar for serving

Steps:

For the blueberry crust: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 9x12-inch baking dish.
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the flour, confectioners' sugar, blueberry powder, lemon zest, salt and cold butter cubes. Pulse several times until a ball starts to form. Place the dough in the buttered dish and press down firmly to form and even bottom crust. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool slightly. Set aside.
For the lemon filling: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest. Sift the flour and baking powder together and add to the eggs. Mix well. Pour the lemon filling over the crust. Scatter the fresh blueberries over the filling. Return to the oven and bake until the filling is set when the pan is jiggled, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Dust with confectioners' sugar. The bars will keep for 4 to 5 days in the refrigerator. Try freezing the bars with wooden popsicle sticks inserted in them for a cooling summertime treat!