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4.6 from 177 votes

Lemon Truffle Shortbread Bars

This delightful recipe is easy to follow and perfect for any occasion.

Prep Time
3 hrs 40 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
4 hrs
Servings: 24 Bars (9X13-inch pan of bars)
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust:
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup salted butter
Lemon/Cream Layers:
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • ½ + 1/3 cup granulated sugar you'll use 1/2 cup first and 1/3 cup later
  • 2 cups water
  • ⅔ cup fresh lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 6 ounces white chocolate chopped (see note)
  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. For the shortbread crust, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the flour, powdered sugar and salt in a bowl or in a food processor. Add the butter and cut in with a pastry blender (or process in the food processor) until the butter is in tiny pieces and the mixture is coarsely crumbled.
  2. Press the mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9X13-inch baking pan and bake for 10-12 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
  3. For the lemon curd, in a medium saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, water, fresh lemon juice and lemon zest. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and 1/3 cup granulated sugar until well-combined and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. Add to the saucepan with the other ingredients and whisk to combine.
  4. Stirring constantly, bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Once bubbles pop at the surface and the mixture has thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the butter.
  5. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl. Remove about 2 cups of the mixture to a separate bowl, cover, and set aside to cool completely.
  6. To the remaining lemon curd, add the white chocolate and stir until melted. Let cool to room temperature. Add the cream cheese and whip with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
  7. Remove 1 cup of the creamy mixture to another bowl, and spread the rest of the cream cheese mixture evenly on top of the shortbread crust.
  8. Combine the reserved 1 cup mixture and the whipping cream. Beat until thickened and soft peaks form that mostly hold their shape, 2-3 minutes.
  9. Spread the reserved 2 cups cooled lemon curd (with nothing added to it) on top of the cream cheese layer. It helps to dollop in large spoonfuls across the bars before spreading.
  10. Spread the whipped cream mixture on top of the lemon curd (again, dollop spoonfuls of it across the bars before spreading).
  11. Refrigerate the bars for at least an hour before cutting and serving (can be refrigerated 8-12 hours before serving).

Notes

  • Chocolate: I have not used white chocolate chips for this recipe - I use the Ghirardelli chocolate bars (not almond bark) because sometimes white chocolate chips don't melt well, but you can certainly experiment. 
  • Prep: to make the prep of this recipe a bit easier, if you have a storebought brand of lemon curd you love, you can try using that (you'll need about 4 1/2 cups). 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Bar Calories 316kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 24g (37%) Saturated Fat 14g (70%) Cholesterol 114mg (38%) Sodium 176mg (7%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 14g (28%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 24Bars (9X13-inch pan of bars)

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Bar
Calories 316kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 24g 37%
Saturated Fat 14g 70%
Cholesterol 114mg 38%
Sodium 176mg 7%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 14g 28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.