Description
Velvet Swirl Citrus Symphony Bars are a delightful treat featuring a buttery shortbread crust topped with luscious lemon curd and a sweet orange marmalade swirl.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cubed
- 1/2 cup orange marmalade
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
- Fresh mint for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8×8-inch baking dish.
- In a food processor, combine the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Pulse to combine.
- Add the cold cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Let the crust cool completely.
- In a medium saucepan, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, and granulated sugar. Mix well until fully combined.
- Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved.
- In a small bowl, whisk the eggs until well combined.
- Gradually whisk the hot lemon mixture into the eggs, then return the mixture to the saucepan.
- Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the cubed butter until fully melted and smooth.
- Let the lemon curd cool slightly, then spread it evenly over the cooled crust.
- Drop spoonfuls of the orange marmalade evenly over the lemon curd.
- Use a knife to swirl the orange marmalade into the lemon curd.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the lemon curd is set.
- Let the bars cool in the baking dish for about 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Optionally, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh mint.
- Cut the bars into squares and serve them chilled. Enjoy your delicious and indulgent dessert!
Notes
- For best results, use fresh lemons for the juice and zest.
- These bars can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the sweetness of the lemon curd by reducing the amount of sugar if desired.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg