Lemon bars

Why are my lemon bars white on top?

This means a layer of air bubbles has risen to the surface – it’s completely normal.

Why won’t my lemon bars set?

Bake the lemon bars for at least 25 minutes before removing them from the oven. Also, be sure to bake the base until lightly golden first

What can I use instead of ground rice?

If you can’t find ground rice, you can use ground almonds as an alternative. Bear in mind that we haven’t tested this, but these will be a similar texture.

What happens if you overcook lemon bars?

The top of your bars will start to crack and they will become thick and chewy.

How do I know if my lemon bars are cooked?

Bake until the mixture has the same consistency as firm set jelly when removed from the oven – anything looser and your lemon bars will fall apart when sliced.

How long will lemon bars keep?

These lemon bars will keep for up to three days in an airtight container. Put squares of baking parchment between them so they don’t stick together. Lemon bars do not freeze well as they are too soft.

How to serve lemon bars

They are best served at room temperature – eat on their own or with a dollop of crème fraîche.

Tips for making lemon bars:

• Wait for the base to cool slightly to room temperature before pouring over the filling – this will prevent the base from going soggy and the eggs in the filling from curdling
• After 15 minutes of baking, gently shake the baking tray as you would a quiche – you want it to be set but with a slight wobble, which will set completely as it cools

Does it matter if you use fresh or bottled lemon juice?

We recommend using fresh lemon juice as it affects the flavour massively. The lemon juice you get in a bottle contains preservatives and has oxidised, so it tastes slightly bitter compared to bright, freshly squeeze lemon juice.