About the Recipe
So St.Patty's Day is coming up and my kids are beginning to tell tales of leprechauns and what they would do if they ever caught one. Apparently my eldest saw one a few years back and there are always traces of them having been around (green toilet water etc.)
So getting into the St.Patricks spirit myself I wanted to make a sweet treat to celebrate. Enter this recipe for Matcha Lemon Squares.
Not only do they have this amazing color, the combo of earthy matcha and zesty lemon flavors just hit the spot, their texture is out of this world as well. The right amount of ooey-gooeyness and crispy crunch from the beautiful crinkle top will make you want to reach for seconds.
Trust me, they're a total hit with both kids and adults alike. Plus, they're a fun twist on the classic lemon bars. Perfect for any occasion when you're craving a little something sweet and green!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon matcha powder
For the Filling:
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons matcha powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Zest of one lemon
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger (optional)
Preparation
Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal.
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Make the Crust:
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, softened butter, powdered sugar, and matcha powder.
Mix until the ingredients come together to form a crumbly dough.
I like to use my hands for this because I can feel around for the larger chunks and I feel like I have more control over making sure everything is well incorporated. But if you prefer to mix it up with a food processor, that option can work as well.
Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan.
Bake the crust for about 15 minutes or until it's set and lightly golden.
Prepare the Filling:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, flour, matcha powder, baking powder, lemon zest, and lemon juice until well combined.
If you want to add an extra layer of flavor to your squares why not try little crumbles of candied ginger. Simply sprinkle them over the filling before baking. Don't be surprised, they will sink into the filling slightly because of their weight. They add delightful bursts of spice to the earthy lemon flavors already present.
Bake the Bars:
Pour the filling over the pre-baked crust.
Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the filling is set and the edges are lightly golden.
Cool and Slice:
Allow the matcha bars to cool completely in the pan.
Once cooled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan.
Place them on a cutting board and slice into squares.
Optional Garnish:
Dust the top of the bars with a bit of extra matcha powder for a decorative touch.
Serve:
Serve the matcha bars with a dollop of whipped cream or icecream for an added indulgence.