Lemon Cookie Bars

With the fourth of July just two days away, I’m in full-on food planning mode. I know some people will be enjoying their day off inside a cool air-conditioned room, but we’re sticking with the traditional BBQ at our neighbor’s house. I’m planning to bring a couple desserts and still working out the other details.

If you’re like me and trying to finalize plans for what to bring to your next get together, consider bringing these Lemon Cookie Bars. The lemon curd in the frosting provides a great subtle citrus flavor on top of a cookie bar base. The frosting is pretty liquidy as you can see in the pictures, so I would recommend making this a day in advance and storing them in the fridge so the frosting can set up.

Two Years Ago: Chocolate Mousse Cupcakes with Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

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Lemon Cookie Bars

Yield: 16 bars

Ingredients:

For the Bars
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp finely grated lemon zest
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

For the Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup lemon curd
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp sprinkles

Directions:

For the Bars
Heat oven to 350F.

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together.

Mix in egg and almond extract; stir in flour, lemon zest, baking powder, and salt until soft dough forms.
Spread dough in bottom of a greased 8×8-inch square pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown on the edges and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

For the Frosting
Place cream cheese and lemon curd in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Mix in powdered sugar until smooth.

Spread frosting evenly over cooled sugar cookie bars and top evenly with sprinkles. Cut into 16 bars.

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19 Responses to “Pecan Pie Cookies”

  1. #
    1
    Carrie — October 19, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    Wow those look awesome, I am going to have to add these to my cookie idea list which seems to be never ending

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    Crystal — October 19, 2009 at 2:38 pm

    These look delicious! I will have to try them. I have a recipe for pecan pie cake. It’s quick, easy and tastes just like pecan pie.

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    3
    Joe — October 19, 2009 at 5:36 pm

    There is nothing better than a perfect pecan pie. These look great and really easy.

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    stephchows — October 19, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    perfect for a pecan pie addict!

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    5
    gaga — October 19, 2009 at 8:55 pm

    These are such a great idea! One of my favorite pies is pecan, but I can never finish a whole slice because it gets too disgustingly sweet. These are perfect bite-size versions, I love it!

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    Stephanie Wagner — October 19, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    So thoughtful! My dad loves pecan pie, I’ll have to make these for his birthday this winter.

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    Kat — October 20, 2009 at 12:18 am

    What a great way to have pecan pie in moderation :). Sometimes I find pecan pie too sweet so the cookie base is a nice change.

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    Jigginjessica — October 20, 2009 at 12:31 pm

    These look and sound really great! I think these would be a perfect dessert addition to my families Thanksgiving!

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    nutmegnanny — October 21, 2009 at 4:05 am

    These looks great!

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    Mansi — October 21, 2009 at 7:15 pm

    I make these too, aren’t they simply delicious! loved your pic!:)

    btw, they’d be perfect for my sweet celebration contest I’d be glad if you could send them in for my blog event!

    I’off to check out your giveaway:)

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    thereddeer — October 24, 2009 at 12:56 am

    Yum! My hubby loves pecans so I might have to give these a try one day 🙂

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    12
    Amethyst — October 25, 2009 at 4:04 pm

    These are perfect to add to my cookie bags for holiday gifts! Thank you for sharing!

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    13
    Tami — November 4, 2009 at 4:17 am

    I love pecan pie so I can’t wait to try these little gems. 🙂

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    How To Eat A Cupcake — November 4, 2009 at 3:04 pm

    I totally saw the write up about Baking Gals in Taste of Home! I was so excited! 😉

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    Tami — November 12, 2009 at 3:54 am

    I made these this week for the Clean Plate Club Cookie Carnival. They’ve become a family favorite! Oh my are they good!!

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    16
    Tari McDonald — November 27, 2009 at 8:57 pm

    Jen, you left a comment on my blog asking if I chilled my dough when I made these cookies (responded on my blog, but I’ll do it here, too!). I didn’t chill the dough, altough I think I will last time. Some of my cookies spread too much just making it following the recipe. Thanks for sharing and submitting it for the cookie carnival!

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    17
    booksncooks — December 11, 2009 at 2:37 am

    You saved me this weekend – after being unable to find an ingredient for another recipe, I was in a jam, as all the desserts for my holiday party this weekend had chocolate in them. I remembered I had flagged these cookies to try out – I’ll be making these tomorrow night. Thanks!

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    18
    Shannon Pivetta — November 11, 2013 at 11:28 am

    Does anyone know if these freeze well?

    • beantownbaker — November 11th, 2013 @ 9:09 pm

      These freeze really well. I’m actually making a batch tomorrow night to freeze until Thanksgiving.

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