When I think of lemon bars, I think of summer. The bright, zippy sweetness immediately transports me to warm, sunny days.
First off, let's start with the basics. Here is how to make an awesome classic lemon bar. Got it? Good. Now let's muck that recipe up a little and play with it, shall we?
1. Lemon Coconut Bars
Tropical, meaty toasted coconut slivers go stupendously with sweet, gooey lemon treats to bring a bit of extra flavor and a crunchier texture for more contrast.
2. Blueberry Lemon Bars
Love classic lemon bars but want to add just a little extra oomph? This is the recipe for you. Grab a handful of those fresh blueberries that are just about in season and go to town.
3. White Chocolate Lemon Bars
What better match is there for this tart, acidic treat than creamy, thick and sweet white chocolate? They are the perfect contrast for each other.
4. Luscious Blood Orange Bars With a Brown Butter Crust
Why not make these bars with a different, gentler type of citrus? Feel free to use tangerines or any similar fruit instead of blood oranges, but you'll need to adjust the sugar levels based on how sweet your citrus is, so take it slow until you figure exactly how naturally sweet your oranges are.
5. Pink Lemonade Bars
You know how pink lemonade is so much better than the regular stuff, for some unknown reason? Well, I'm still not sure what that X factor is, but it's the very same thing that makes these raspberry iterations so delightful.
6. Blueberry Lemon Pie Bars
Pie is phenomenal. Nobody can say anything bad about pie. But what if you want an easier, more manageable bite-sized dessert? Enter this divine pie-bar hybrid that has an almost cheesecakey creamy tartness. Divine!
7. Ruby Red Grapefruit Bars
These heavenly bars are pretty similar to the original, but they involve one crucial change -- swap out lemons for another bitter, tart, bright citrus fruit for a sweet change of pace.
8. Lemon Bars with Salt and Olive Oil
This recipe suggests using Meyer lemons -- which will get you a much more mild, less-sour flavor -- but you can certainly use either kind. If you want to get that softer flavor but can't find Meyers, use half lemon juice and half fresh-squeezed orange juice to get a similar effect.
9. Lemon Cheesecake Bars
Look, if there is something that can make lemon bars even better it's creamy, tangy, rich cheesecake. Obviously.
10. Lemon Brownie Bars
A lemon bar that has the texture of a brownie and is gluten-free? You better believe it. These moist, light and tender fudgy treats topped with a decadent lemon glaze are almost too good to be true. Almost.