If you’ve ever wondered what sunshine tastes like, look no further than these Meyer lemon-brown butter bars. Bright and bursting with Meyer lemon zest and juice, I’ve never liked a lemon bar more. The secret is pairing the fruity lemon filling with a brown butter shortbread crust. Brown butter improves most anything, adding a nutty aroma (reminiscent of toasted hazelnuts) that I adore.
Perfectly sweet-tart without any pucker, I can’t help but smile with each bite. Inevitably, you’ll find your fingers dusted in powdered sugar, but I like to think that’s half the fun! My search for the ultimate lemon bar is over.
Meyer Lemon-Brown Butter Bars
Crust
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup flour
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1/8 tsp salt
Filling
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 Tbsp Meyer lemon zest (zest of 2 lemons)
1/3 cup fresh Meyer lemon juice
2 Tbsp flour
pinch of salt
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Cook butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until it foams, turns clear, and then turns a deep brown, about 6 minutes. Pour browned butter into a glass bowl and chill in the freezer until solid, about 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Dice solidified brown butter into 1/2-inch pieces; sprinkle over flour mixture and use a pastry cutter to cut in evenly until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add dough to prepared baking dish; use a piece of parchment to press dough into an even layer. Bake for 23 minutes, until crust is lightly golden.
Meanwhile, prepare filling. Lightly whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Whisk in sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, flour, and salt until smooth. Reduce oven temperature to 325°F and slowly pour filling over hot crust; return dish to oven and bake until filling is firm, about 22 minutes. Cool completely in dish on wire rack, then cover and place in the refrigerator until chilled.
Carefully lift parchment to remove bars from dish and place on a cutting board; cut into squares using a sharp knife and dust with powdered sugar just before serving. Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Yield – 12 bars (serving size: 1 bar)
Calories – 180
Carbs – 24
Oh Laura, these sound amazing! I’ve just started finding Meyer lemons in my markets this passed week and I was thrilled but now you’ve made me more thrilled with these fabulous treats. We’re crazy for lemon bars but I know the brown butter will make them beyond delicious. Thanks friend!
Meyer lemons are one of my favorites and these bars look absolutely divine! Definitely a must try for me once I get my hands on some meyer lemons.
I love brown butter anything! The idea of pairing it with meyer lemons is so brilliant, Laura! Need to try these for sure!
Delightful! I adore Meyer Lemons and am bookmarking this recipe. Thank you for sharing, Laura.
Holy meyer lemon!!! Laura, these look so mouthwateringly delicious!!!
loving everything about these bars, lemon bar are one of my all time favorite desserts and then you kicked it up by using brown butter…perfect!
You had me at brown butter! And yes, I definitely need to load up on these sunshine bars!
Okay so I’ll take two dozen, please! :D
Lovely Laura! I’m so wanting to whip up a batch of these lovelies-the Meyer lemons are calling my name ;-)
*hand’s raised* Hi, I’m Hayley, and I’m a brown butter addict. Seriously, I’m in LOVE with the stuff. And you managed to cram brown butter into these petite, lemony treats that I am currently drooling over. I want!
Oh yum! I adore Meyer Lemons! I adore brown butter… and I adore sugar!
Holy Cow this is THE recipe I will need to make next.
Also – gorgeous pics. Pinning this on Pinterest as we speak =0)
wow, these look SO good. I must give these a try.
Beautiful Laura and sounds really delicious!
They are gorgeous, Laura! I love lemon bars and I bet these ones made with meyer lemons are even more wonderful.
You’re so right about brown butter improving everything Laura! I’d like it as a perfume! :D
Laura they’re so pretty and love that you used browned butter and meyer lemons, two of my faves!
You hit the spot Laura! I’m in love with your lemon bars!
These definitely look like sunshine! I love lemon bars and I bet the brown butter takes these to the next level!
Oh, YUM! I’ve made Meyer lemon bars, but never with a brown butter crust! I’m swooning!!!
These look amazing!!! yum!
There is definitely something very attractive about lemon bars and I don’t mind a little puckering.
I need that sunshine in my life. Beautifully made and recipe is so delicious too. Thank you for sharing Laura and have a great weekend ahead!
I have been wanting to make lemon bars, and this is going to be my go to recipe – sounds amazing!
Because I love both meyer lemon and brown butter, I KNOW an excellent recipe when I see one! This is a nice winter treat! And yes, meyer lemons bring a tartness without the pucker. Simply amazing flavour combination…
This is one of my favorite treats… Your bars look exquisite!
Cheers,
Rosa
Holy lemony lovelies!! YUM! I do love lemon bars, but that crust may become my new favorite! I love me some brown buttah!!
I want to taste sunshine!
You are my treat hero!
Meyer lemons are the BEST! And browned butter?! Omg these bars are brilliant.
I used to not care much for lemon desserts, but since I started eating healthier (and using lemons like a crazy person) I’m finding that I love desserts like this now. Looks divine. I’m in!
You just can’t fail with a lemon bar, the tart flavor and creaminess is perfect but wait….brown butter base, mmmmm
I can totally live off with winter fruits like Meyer lemons, yuzu, and tangerines… so juicy and oh thinking of these make me happy. So your bars will put me into heaven! I’ll drive all the way to pick it up! I really would! :D
I love this time of year with meyer lemons in full swing. Lemon bars are among my favorite bar cookies to make and with the addition of brown butter – you just sent these delights to a whole new level! Happy Saturday Laura!!!!
Lemon Bars are my favorite dessert! But I have always stayed with tangy lemons such as a Lisbon and never ventured into sweet Meyer lemon territory! What a scrumptious idea and paired with a brown butter crust, even better!
My favorite treat, hands down and you used meyer lemons, another favorite. A taste of sunshine is the perfect description for these beauties!
I could definitely use a taste of sunshine! This is perfect timing to get me looking forward to warm weather and blue skies! I’ve always enjoyed lemon bars and have yet to try them using meyer lemons and brown butter! What a treat!
I just happen to have some meyer lemons and I am craving these babies! Sunshine indeed :)
i have a hard time finding meyer lemons in my area. I wonder if I could try other citrus instead. These bars look absolutely AH-mazing Laura!!
I have a special place in my heart for Meyer lemons, Laura, so my heart just sang when I saw these bars! My goodness! The brown butter base sounds divine, I do need to play with brown butter more :)
My mom makes lemon bars all of the time, next time I go home to visit I would love to try this recipe with her!
Fantastic as always, Laura. Our lemons have been annihilated by possums this year but it’s nothing a trip to the store can’t fix. Love the brown butter base. So great for this super hot weather we’re having.
oh man, meyer lemons AND brown butter? these sound AMAZING!!
Oh my – these look insanely good. I love Meyer lemon desserts and the addition of brown butter takes them over the top. Very pretty, too!
I usually spring for the chocolatey treats, but I have a serious weakness for lemon bars. Your meyer lemon brown butter bars look divine!
Meyer lemons make everything better don’t they? Yum so does brown butter, I like your twist on these favorite bars.
-Gina-
Lemon bars are probably one of my favorite treats, and one I just never make, or eat enough for that matter. Seriously you just added brown butter to my love, and addiction…..to my favorite treat!!! OH MY LAND GIRL!!! Your bars look so delicious, Hugs, Terra
I have to say that these bars are so good, I made them for a party yesterday and they got eaten. So today I made another batch for myself. I am SO HAPPY right now. This is going in the forever-rotation.
Hi Liane, so happy you liked the bars! :) I’ve made them three times and soon to make a 4th pan…
These look A-MAZING! I was just gifted some gorgeous Meyer lemons, which I’ve never used before. I haven’t baked much with lemons, but I’m so excited to try some new recipes, and this one seems wonderful, especially with the addition of the browned butter– YUM. :)