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Brown Butter Lemon Bars with Strawberry Glaze

A delightful blend of tartness and sweetness wrapped in a buttery crust, topped with a luscious strawberry glaze.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 180

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 1 cup unsalted butter Use high-quality butter for a richer flavor; I recommend Kerrygold.
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour For the crust and filling; King Arthur Flour is a great option.
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar The base for the crust.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt To enhance flavors.
For the Lemon Filling
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar For the lemon filling.
  • 4 large eggs Room temperature for better mixing.
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice About 3-4 lemons; use organic lemons if possible for fresher taste.
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest Freshly grated for maximum flavor.
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour For thickening the filling.
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt Again, to balance sweetness.
For the Strawberry Glaze
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries Hulled, opt for ripe strawberries for max sweetness.
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar For the glaze.
  • 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice To taste for the glaze.
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch Optional, for thickening the glaze if desired.

Method
 

Brown the Butter
  1. Place the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Melt the butter completely while constantly stirring. Keep stirring until it emits a nutty aroma—this takes about 5-7 minutes.
Prepare the Crust
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a mixing bowl, stir together the flour, sugar, and salt. Pour in the browned butter and mix until a cohesive dough forms. Press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake the Crust
  1. Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, until lightly golden around the edges and set in the center.
Make the Lemon Filling
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until smooth and creamy. Add the fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, flour, and salt, whisking until fully combined and smooth in texture.
Add Filling and Bake
  1. Once the crust is ready, pour the lemon filling over the warm crust and return the pan to the oven. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes.
Cool and Chill
  1. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool at room temperature for about 1 hour. Then, transfer them to the refrigerator and chill for at least 2 hours until completely set.
Prepare the Strawberry Glaze
  1. While the bars are chilling, blend the hulled strawberries until smooth. Strain them through a sieve for a smoother texture. In a bowl, combine the strawberry puree with powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice—mix until you have a pourable glaze.
Glaze the Bars
  1. Once the lemon layer has chilled and set, pour the strawberry glaze over the top, spreading it evenly across the surface. Return the pan to the fridge for another 30-60 minutes.
Slice and Serve
  1. Using the parchment paper, lift the bars out of the pan and place them on a cutting board. Slice into clean squares and serve chilled or slightly cool.

Notes

Store leftovers covered in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months—just thaw in the fridge before serving.