Poppy Seed-Lemon Bars

The bright flavor of lemon combined with poppy seeds really kicks the traditional lemon bar up a notch. They're vibrant, fresh tasting, and pleasantly sweet. I like to use black poppy seeds for a pop of color and just a little more eye appeal.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 50 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Calories: 193 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup confectioners' sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups white sugar
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 3 large eggs
• cooking spray
• ⅓ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cardamom (Optional)
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar, or as needed

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray.

Step 2

Combine butter and confectioners' sugar in a bowl; beat with an electric mixer until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add flour, salt, and cardamom; mix until just combined. Stir in poppy seeds until evenly distributed. Press dough evenly into the prepared baking dish with floured hands.

Step 3

Bake crust in the preheated oven until edges are just starting to brown, about 18 minutes.

Step 4

While the crust is baking, combine sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add flour and stir until just combined.

Step 5

As soon as the crust comes out of the oven, pour the filling into it and return to the oven.

Step 6

Bake until filling is puffy and lightly browned around the edges, about 30 minutes. Place on a wire rack and cool completely before cutting into 16 squares. Dust lightly with confectioners sugar.