Citrus Bars

I’ll be honest these bars take awhile to prep, but they are worth the effort.  The citrus mixed with sour cherry jam make for a unique dessert you will want to eat all day.

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Crust-

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

3 tablespoons cornstarch

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter softened

1/3 cup sugar

6-8 tablespoons sour cherry jam (or other jelly)

Filling-

2 large eggs

2 large egg yolks

½ cup sugar

½ cup sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup all purpose flour

1 cup orange juice

1 lemon juiced (4-5 tablespoons)

2 clementine zested

1 lemon zested

Directions:

1. Spray a 9×13 dish with nonstick spray.
2. Whisk the flour, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl.
3. In a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment beat the butter and sugar on medium for 4 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
4. Turn the speed to low and add in the dry ingredients until just combined.
5. Transfer the dough to the pan and spread it out in an even layer.
6. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour.
7. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
8. Prick the dough with a fork.  Then bake until just golden 25-30 minutes.
9. Melt the jelly in the microwave so it is easy to spread.  Spread the jelly out in an even layer. 
10. Return to the oven and cook for 10 more minutes.
11. Let cool on a wire rack for an hour.
12. Whisk the eggs, yolks, sugar, sweetened condensed milk, flour, and salt in a medium bowl.  Beat until thick and pale. Stir in the citrus zest and juice and blend.
13. Pour the filling over the crust and bake until the filling is firm but still wobbly in the center. Bake 20-30 minutes.
14. Cool to room temperature. Then chill in the refrigerator for an hour before cutting.
15. Optional serve topped with a slice of clementine on each square or topped with powdered sugar.