Sourdough discard lemon bars

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Sourdough discard lemon bars are my favorite summer dessert! This bright and lemony treat has a sourdough shortbread crust topped with a lemon custard. This sourdough twist on classic Lemon Bars is simple, delicious, and sweet, with just the right amount of tart! Add some powdered sugar, and these easy lemon bars are irresistible for the spring and summer months!

If you’re ever in the mood for a delicious dessert and have sourdough starter discard and lemons ( even if its older discard) in your fridge, this great recipe for lemon bars will satisfy your cravings with their tart and tangy flavor. It is the best way to use up any sourdough discard that you have been collecting in your fridge 😉  These sourdough discard lemon bars are perfect to bring to brunch, a baby shower, or any festive occasion! The guests will surely fall in love with these perfect lemon bars. 

I love this recipe because it uses less sugar than most lemon bar recipes, which gives it the perfect balance of sweet and lemony in this sweet dessert. This is a luscious lemon bar recipe for lemon lovers! 

KEY INGREDIENTS NEEDED

To make these lemon bars from scratch, you will need only these six ingredients:

• All-Purpose Flour. Needed for the shortbread crust 
• Butter. This is only needed for the shortbread crust. Make sure it’s at room temperature.
• Powdered Sugar. Mainly needed for the shortbread crust layer, but you can also use this as a dusting over the lemon bars—after they have cooled and chilled!
• Granulated Sugar. You’ll only need this for the lemon curd filling. You can use regular white granulated sugar or organic pure cane sugar.
• Lemons. You’ll need about three medium-sized lemons for the freshly squeezed lemon juice.
• Eggs. It helps to bring that beautiful lemon filling together!This is a very simple recipe—a simple recipe with big flavor! It is a delightful fusion of tangy lemon goodness.

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Filling:

• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice ( meyer lemons)
• 2  cups white sugar
• 6 room temperature eggs

Sourdough discard crust:

• 2 cups flour 
• 1 cup melted butter 
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard ( Do not use active starter)

For these foolproof lemon bars, you’ll need the following baking tools:

• 8 inch Baking Pan
• Whisk
• Spatula
• Parchment Paper. Optional to use as a sleeve for easy removal and cutting of the lemon bars.
• Citrus Juicer
• Small sifter

How To Make Sourdough Lemon Bars From Scratch:

Buttery shortbread base crust:

• Position a baking rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F
• In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients: flour, salt аnd роwdеrеd ѕugаr tоgеthеr, thеn роur thе melted buttеr and sourdough discard оvеr thе dry іngrеdіеntѕ. Mіx together gently, untіl juѕt сrumblу. Line an 8-inch раn with parchment paper (metal with ѕtrаіght ѕіdеѕ іѕ bеѕt fоr thіѕ) thеn рrеѕѕ thе сrumbѕ firmly into the раn in аn even-ish layer. I lіkе tо lеаvе little bumps frоm mу fingers- gіvеѕ іt a ruѕtіс texture, but уоu саn dо whatever уоu want. (I also like a thick crust, ѕо if you lіkе іt thinner, dоn’t use аll thе mіx, оr mаkе twо pans) Bаkе for 20 mіnutеѕ аt 350.

Lemon сurd:

• Sԛuееzе thе lеmоnѕ, straining оut thе pips аnd рulр. Set aside.
• In bоwl (I use the same оnе I mаdе thе crust іn, juѕt rinsed out) whір thе еggѕ wіth a whіѕk until thеу аrе unіfоrm and light.  Add thе ѕugаr аnd ѕtіr until the sugar has dissolved (dip your finger into the batter and rub your fingers together; if you can feel the sugar in between your fingers, then you need to mix it more). Add in the fresh lemon juice to the eggs, mix to combine. 

• When the crust is done baking, pour the(wet ingredients) lemon mixture over the hot crust, return to the oven, and bake for 15 minutes. Gently tent a piece of foil on top to prevent over-browning and bake until the top is lightly browned, and the center is set when the pan is gently nudged for about 15 minutes.

• Remove from the baking pan, and let cool COMPLETELY on a wire rack (іt will bе a mess іf you rush іt, truѕt mе!) bеfоrе slicing into neat ѕԛuаrеѕ. Dust wіth powdered ѕugаr, аnd wаtсh уоur knееѕ give оut as уоu tаѕtе thеm.

Can you use bottled lemon juice?

“I always prefer using fresh lemons because they taste tangy and refreshing. Bottled lemon juice or concentrate should be avoided since the lemons are the star of this recipe, giving the lemon bars the best lemon flavor. Using more than 1 cup of lemon juice might affect the custard’s setting. If your lemons are refrigerated, bring them to room temperature first.” Juicing fresh lemons takes an extra step, but I promise it will be worth it! This is my favorite lemon juicer to make things go by quicker. 

RECOMMENDED BAKING TOOLS

HOW TO FREEZE SOURDOUGH DISCARD LEMON BARS

Make the lemon bars following the recipe instructions, then cool them completely. Skip adding the powdered sugar.

After the lemon bars have been cooled, cut them into individual slices (squares) and freeze them until they become solid. Cover each bar with plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Alternatively, you can freeze the entire lemon bars after wrapping them in aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Lemon bars can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. To defrost, place them in the refrigerator up to 24 hours in advance. If frozen whole, cut them into squares. You can sprinkle them with powdered sugar before serving. Enjoy this sourdough dessert with a cup of tea or your morning coffee to satisfy your sweet tooth 🙂

Common Questions

How do you tell when the sourdough discard lemon bars are done?

The center of the lemon bars should be fully set. If you gently shake the pan, it should not wobble in the center.

How long do lemon bars last?

Lemon bars can be kept at room temperature for a few hours but should be refrigerated afterward. Refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for 3-4 months.

Seeing air bubbles and brown spots?

The air bubbles that rise to the surface while baking are normal. These are bubbles from whisking the eggs. Since the bubbles rise above the surface, they tend to brown, which causes the brown spots. They are easy to cover with powdered sugar.

Can I bake this in a different dish?

A glass or ceramic 9×13 pan works excellent for sourdough discard lemon bars. Note that a glass pan will bake faster and darker than a metal pan. You might need to adjust the bake time. So check for doneness a little earlier.

More sourdough discard recipes you will love! 

• Sourdough discard chocolate chip cookies.
• Sourdough discard scones

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If you made this recipe, share your results with me on my Instagram page! I would love to see your luscious lemon bars creations!