Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars: A Kitchen Diva's Tip for the Perfect Dessert

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Discussion Overview

This thread centers around a recipe for lemon bars shared by a participant named Kacey, with various contributors discussing their experiences and tips related to the recipe, including preferences for baking pans and flavor enhancements.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant, identifying as a consultant, notes that using a glass pan yields the best results for the lemon bars.
  • Another participant shares their experience of adding lemon zest to both the crust and filling, suggesting that more zest enhances the flavor.
  • Several users mention their enjoyment of the lemon bars, with one participant describing them as the best they've ever had.
  • One participant expresses a humorous dislike for the word "delicious," preferring "yummo" instead.
  • Another participant shares their intention to make the lemon bars for their partner, who loves lemon desserts.
  • One participant describes the filling's texture as custard-like and the crust as similar to shortbread.
  • Some participants discuss the size of the pan they plan to use, with mentions of both 9x9 and 9x13 sizes.
  • One participant humorously claims that the recipe became famous after sharing it with another user.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the best way to prepare the lemon bars, particularly regarding the amount of lemon zest to use and the type of pan. No clear consensus emerges on these points.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and preferences related to the recipe, including variations in preparation and baking methods.

Who May Find This Useful

Consultants interested in dessert recipes or those looking for tips on enhancing flavors in baking may find this discussion relevant.

merego
Messages
1,982
Kitchen Diva's tip:

Best if using a glass pan :)
 

Attachments

The look DELISH and YUMO! I am trying to remember if Kacey liked Rachel Ray or not in the other thread, haha!
 
  • Thread starter
  • #3
I can't remember, there were alot of RR haters :)
 
merego said:
Kitchen Diva's tip:

Best if using a glass pan :)

Here are two more tips. Add the zest of one lemon to the crust and the zest of one lemon to the filling. After I wrote this recipe card out, I've been adding more and more each time I make them, and I personally like them best with a full zested lemon in the crust and filling. And this is if you DOUBLE THE RECIPE, if not, the zest of one lemon split between the crust and filling will work fine for the 9x9 pan which is what the recipe calls for. I make a 9x13 because these are DH's favorite and they don't last long. :)

And for some reason, these turn out best in a glass 9x13 pan. I've tried them in everything else, even our stoneware, and glass works the best.

Don't let the filling get too brown on top...it can get a little color, but if it get's too golden, it'll be hard and dry.

Enjoy them!!
 
Last edited:
jrstephens said:
The look DELISH and YUMO! I am trying to remember if Kacey liked Rachel Ray or not in the other thread, haha!

I don't care for her much, but love the word YUMMO! LOL For some reason I can't stand the word delicious. My niece uses that word and it drives me mad! LOL
 
I haven't even looked at this recipe yet but I might just have to make them for DH. He loves lemon anything. His favorite right now is the Lemon Mini Cakes but alas, I haven't had all 6 prep bowls ready at one time! Good thing I ordered another set.
 
wadesgirl said:
I haven't even looked at this recipe yet but I might just have to make them for DH. He loves lemon anything. His favorite right now is the Lemon Mini Cakes but alas, I haven't had all 6 prep bowls ready at one time! Good thing I ordered another set.

My DH loves lemon too, and he really loves these. I've been tempted to take mine to Macy's Department store and tell them the chefs they have that are making their lemon bars should be fired, and please try mine! I actually made these when I was being interviewed at Le Cordon Bleu Cullinary Institute- they accepted my application- I would like to think it was in part because of these bars! :)
 
  • Thread starter
  • #8
These seriously are the best lemon bars EVER... You should submit it to PC and they can replace the lemon bar recipe they have with yours b/c I like yours so much better. I could have just drank the filling out of my batter bowl while the crust was in the oven.
 
Okay I just looked at the recipe, I might just have to go out and buy a 9x9 glass pan since I don't have one to make these in!
 
wadesgirl said:
Okay I just looked at the recipe, I might just have to go out and buy a 9x9 glass pan since I don't have one to make these in!

I double the recipe and put it in a 9x13! :) Pyrex loves me!
 
merego said:
These seriously are the best lemon bars EVER... You should submit it to PC and they can replace the lemon bar recipe they have with yours b/c I like yours so much better. I could have just drank the filling out of my batter bowl while the crust was in the oven.

You are too kind, and I agree with the whole slurping down the filling while the crust is in the oven. YUMMY!!!:D :chef:
 
Oh great, just what I would need, a whole pan of them! Is it a fluffy cake like batter or is it softer solid like a cheese cake?
 
Kitchen Diva said:
Here are two more tips. Add the zest of one lemon to the crust and the zest of one lemon to the filling. After I wrote this recipe card out, I've been adding more and more each time I make them, and I personally like them best with a full zested lemon in the crust and filling.

And for some reason, these turn out best in a glass 9x13 pan. I've tried them in everything else, even our stoneware, and glass works the best.

Don't let the filling get too brown on top...it can get a little color, but if it get's too golden, it'll be hard and dry.

Enjoy them!!



Thanks for sharing both of you! (Meredith for posting, Kasey for originally creating/sharing!)

One question Kasey, do you mean two full lemons of zest as posted above, ONE full lemon zest for filling, and ONE full for crust? WOW, how lemony will THAT be! :D
 
.."I could have just drank the filling out of my batter bowl while the crust was in the oven."

This is hilarious, merego!!! Thanks for giving me my heartiest laugh today!

I love lemon anything and can't wait to try these, Kacey. Thanks!!
 
wadesgirl said:
Oh great, just what I would need, a whole pan of them! Is it a fluffy cake like batter or is it softer solid like a cheese cake?

The filling is more custard like- hard to explain. It is soft, but firm enough to eat without a fork, especially if it cooks right and you keep them in the fridge. The crust is like a yummy shortbread/sugar cookie- and when stuck in the fridge after they are cooled, the butter solidifies in the crust and it is just sooo yummy.... Man I'm hungry!
 
kcjodih said:
Thanks for sharing both of you! (Meredith for posting, Kasey for originally creating/sharing!)

One question Kasey, do you mean two full lemons of zest as posted above, ONE full lemon zest for filling, and ONE full for crust? WOW, how lemony will THAT be! :D

Lemons here are small, and I should point out that I double the recipe. So if you follow the recipe, just use one lemon and split the zest between the filling and crust. Thanks for pointing that out- you'd all be puckering your cheeks if I hadn't clarified that! :yuck:
 
Kitchen Diva said:
The filling is more custard like- hard to explain. It is soft, but firm enough to eat without a fork, especially if it cooks right and you keep them in the fridge. The crust is like a yummy shortbread/sugar cookie- and when stuck in the fridge after they are cooled, the butter solidifies in the crust and it is just sooo yummy.... Man I'm hungry!

I know what you mean. I didn't really look at the ingredients or could have figured what it would have been even if I had looked. I saved it to my desktop, I'll have to try it out son.

You guys are keeping me up too late, I'm going to bed!
 
wadesgirl said:
Oh great, just what I would need, a whole pan of them! Is it a fluffy cake like batter or is it softer solid like a cheese cake?

The batter is liquidy like a slightly thickened jello before it's baked. Does that help?
 
  • Thread starter
  • #19
Kitchen Diva said:
Lemons here are small, and I should point out that I double the recipe. So if you follow the recipe, just use one lemon and split the zest between the filling and crust. Thanks for pointing that out- you'd all be puckering your cheeks if I hadn't clarified that! :yuck:


I used one small lemon and split the zest between the crust and filling.:chef:
 
  • Thread starter
  • #20
wadesgirl said:
Oh great, just what I would need, a whole pan of them! Is it a fluffy cake like batter or is it softer solid like a cheese cake?


It's just HEAVEN, that's all I can say :)
 
merego said:
I used one small lemon and split the zest between the crust and filling.:chef:

In the 9x9 like Kacey mentioned Meredith?
 
kcjodih said:
In the 9x9 like Kacey mentioned Meredith?

well that's how I would do it, so yes, more than likely she used a small pan or 9x9- I promise there is enough sugar in these that if you double the batch and use the zest of one lemon for the filling and for the crust it will not be too much or too tart. Besides, you douse the top with powdered sugar about 10 minutes after they come out of the oven, so it's all good! :)
 
Technically, these were not very famous until I gave the recipe to Mere! :)

Thanks for putting me on the map my favorite #9! :D:D:D
 
  • Thread starter
  • #24
kcjodih said:
In the 9x9 like Kacey mentioned Meredith?

Yes, that is what I did for a 9X9 pan :)
 
Thanks Mere for making my bars famous! I should hire you as my agent! :)
 
I wonder if they would turn out okay in one of the new metal sheet pans? Has anyone tried it.

I love lemon bars and am excited to give these a shot - thanks for sharing!
 
You need a pan with high sides, like a 9x9x2, or a 9x13x2- the filling is in liquid form when you put it on the baked crust, so if you use one of our sheet pans, you'll be hard pressed not to spill filling on the floor on your way to carrying it to the oven.

HTH

I have made these in metal pans- they turn out the best in glass, good in metal and not so good in stoneware...
 
  • Thread starter
  • #28
Lemonade.gif



Kacey just taught me how to use photobucket~ thanks BFF :) Instead of making lemonade, make Kacey's Lemon bars :)
 
This makes me think of the lemon in my mom's lemon meringue pie and it is yum! :thumbup: When you double the recipe do you bake it longer?? Do they need refrigerated....thought they would be great to take to an upcoming family reunion that is out of state. Thanks!
 
byrd1956 said:
This makes me think of the lemon in my mom's lemon meringue pie and it is yum! :thumbup: When you double the recipe do you bake it longer?? Do they need refrigerated....thought they would be great to take to an upcoming family reunion that is out of state. Thanks!

no, you don't have to bake it longer when you double it. And no-they don't have to be refrigerated, but to me they taste better cool :)
 

Frequently Asked Questions

What ingredients do I need for Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars?

To make Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars, you will need the following ingredients: all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, unsalted butter, eggs, fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, baking powder, and powdered sugar for dusting. Make sure to use fresh lemons for the best flavor!

How long does it take to prepare and bake Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars?

The preparation time for Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars is approximately 15 minutes, and the baking time is about 25-30 minutes. Allow some additional time for the bars to cool before cutting and serving.

Can I make Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can make Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars ahead of time! They can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. Just be sure to cover them tightly to keep them fresh, and dust with powdered sugar just before serving for the best presentation.

What is the secret to achieving the perfect texture for the lemon bars?

The secret to achieving the perfect texture for Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars lies in the balance of ingredients and proper baking time. Make sure not to overmix the batter and keep an eye on the baking time to avoid overcooking, which can lead to a dry texture. The bars should be set but still slightly jiggly in the center when you take them out of the oven.

Can I customize the flavor of Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars?

Absolutely! You can customize the flavor of Kacey's Famous Lemon Bars by adding different citrus juices like lime or orange, or by incorporating fresh herbs like mint or basil for a unique twist. Just be mindful of the acidity and sweetness levels to maintain the balance of flavors.

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