How To Make Lemon Bars with Claire Saffitz | Dessert Person

How To Make Lemon Bars with Claire Saffitz | Dessert Person
Special thanks to our friends over at Made In for sponsoring this episode. Check out madein.cc/CLAIRE for 10% off your purchase.
In today's episode Claire Saffitz teaches you how to make classic lemon bars. Perfect for any holiday party.
#lemon #dessert #clairesaffitz
CRUST:
1¼ cups all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons powdered sugar, preferably organic
½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch dice
CUSTARD:
1½ cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs, cold
9 large egg yolks
1½ cups lemon juice
Freshly grated lemon zest
Pinch of kosher salt
1 stick butter
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Dessert Person Cookbook
Photographer: Alex Lau
Food Stylist: Sue Li
Prop Stylist: Astrid Chastka
Video Series:
Producer/Director: Vincent Cross
Camera Operator: Calvin Robertson
Theme Song: Michael Guggino
Editor: Hal McFall
Assistant Editor: Asher Rogers
Animation Credits:
Character Designer/Animator: Jack Sherry
Character Rigger: Johara Dutton
Background/Prop Designer: M. Cody Wiley
Background Illustrator: Jagriti Khirwar

[@CSaffitz]

Good Morning! What are you baking for the holiday season?

[@Muskatnuss1701]

This, and your fruitcake (the one over at NYT cooking, go watch that people.) And I'm not a great baker, the gf is but this old lass is grateful for you helping me becoming a better one).

[@Marie-lw3yw]

Christmas cookies… like vanilla crescents and nougat cookies 😋

[@Mister_kipling]

Chocolate ganache and salted caramel tart dusted with icing sugar.

[@tati.l.]

Christmas is on Summer here so I actually plan on making things from the chilled & frozen desserts chapter. The tiramisu icebox cake is high on my list, as is the mango-yogurt mousse.

[@specifikitty]

Lemoncurd cheesecake!!

[@alejandranatal4144]

can we get a mini series called Claire in Paris where we follow Claire around Paris and she shows us what she eats and how to make it at home. everyone in favor say aye

[@samtbhlol1614]

AYE

[@GatorAidMedical]

claire in nyc would be better probably

[@alejandranatal4144]

@@GatorAidMedical true

[@washurhands5079]

Aye

[@bof224]

this but honestly anywhere. would be fun to mix up the format a bit

[@memuka-]

Metric measurements below, since I couldn’t find them in the comments :) 8x8 inch pan is about 20x20 cm - [ ] 156 gr flour - [ ] 39 gr powdered sugar - [ ] 1/2 teaspoon salt - [ ] 142 gr butter - [ ] 300 gr granulated sugar - [ ] 3 large eggs, cold - [ ] 9 egg yolks - [ ] 360 gr/ml lemon juice - [ ] 2 table spoons of freshly grated lemon zest - [ ] Pinch of salt - [ ] 113,4 gr butter

[@jennywithaglock3916]

crazy how im going to make this now that someone else has done the maths and i can just scale everything out instead of using a stupid ass cup with lines :D

[@samfrodo]

you're an angel

[@YPOC]

Bake shortbread base at 180°C for 25-30 min, curd at 160°C for 20-25 min

[@Lillireify]

Damn I already made it and calculated the stuff on the fly, you're far better person than I am! Ihope your lemon bars were as good as mine :)

[@vanessavega7080]

I second what samfrodo said: you are an angel

[@irynasbondar]

Honestly, so many things started to make sense with cooking after Claire's videos. I don't know what it is, maybe how detailed the explanations of the processes are, but I have been feeling so much more confident in baking. I have not failed a single recipe after following Claire's videos.

[@flygirl6048]

She feels like a modern-day Julia Child. Explains everything in detail and is incredibly realistic and personable

[@fatxasian]

Claire got me obsessed with lemon desserts thanks to her Meyer lemon tart so I’m SO excited to make these

[@CSaffitz]

Hope you enjoy!

[@andreeamicu792]

Claire’s Meyer lemon tart is hands down the BEST lemon desert I’ve ever tasted!And it’s foolproof; it tastes like it was made by a top notch pastry chef every time I make it.

[@Skibbityboo0580]

There was a time in my life that I loved watching Claire stress the F)*& out, but now that I am older, I like just chilling with her making lemon bars. In the beginning I loved her chaos, but as an adult, I love her chill.

[@tinekecarlson1220]

My (almost) 2-year-old son and I watch Claire's videos together every Thursday. He loves baking and especially stand mixers. We're definitely missing Claire's stand mixer.

[@RegstarRogstar]

wow hes got refined taste i see

[@shadowperson0456]

I love how these videos manage to be so aesthetically pleasing and at the same time the recipes are straightforward to follow along with. Thank you Claire!

[@lechatbotte.]

Claire and Vinny the addiction we all need. Lemon bars the sunshine on my rainy day.

[@chadfife3265]

Vinny keeps adding his personal touch, loved the polar bear

[@megalodon970]

@@chadfife3265 That was the Editor, Hal McFall!

[@christinalucas5540]

I successfully made these lemon squares for a dinner party and ,thanks to this video and my Dessert Person book, everyone LOVED them! I appreciated the detailed, accessible instructions. It was a multi step recipe but worth every minute. I will definitely make this yummy dessert again. Thank you, Claire!

[@HGrrrr]

Lemon bars are highly underrated. Sweet, tart, fresh, smooth, crunchy, buttery… they literally have it all

[@daisybuller]

cannot put into words the comfort that these videos bring me. thanks claire :,)

[@5963sarah]

One of my irrational pet peaves is when cooking shows skip a proofing or marinating or chilling process etc in the video and just whip out a pre-prepared second dish that's further along so even though I know it's more of a production effort, I love that you came back the next day!!

[@washurhands5079]

I’ve been looking everywhere for a lemon bar recipe! Thank you!!❤

[@dougc6101]

I would love to see your take on a Canadian classic dessert! Nanaimo Bars! They are so delicious and I think you could do wonders with them!

[@miss_brookieg2504]

The editing is always so spot on and this looks so delicious!

[@mrdonniedoomsday3]

Such a wonderful surprise it brightens my day every time there’s a new video! Thank you for being creative and sharing all that you do ❤

[@parisXxpedalsXx1]

Love a lemon dessert, especially in the winter, wonderful idea!

[@Nightmare-fl2zx]

So I made this! I am recovering from knee surgery and although it was little too intense for me alone while in recovery, my partner was happy to help. It was amazing, and easy to follow. It really made me find a new love for lemon bars and I will definitely make again.

[@eblake3617]

I am so excited for this video! My dad's birthday is this Saturday and tomorrow (Friday) i will be making lemon bars for him as I do every year. Now I'm going to use Claire's recipe! Thank you universe! What a sign

[@arianemariano3807]

I love anything lemon ! These look divine! Thank you! ❤🍋

[@xjoshi]

Thanks to Claire, I’ve been making a new dessert each week from the new book! I watched the videos for years, and finally get to taste some of the goodies!

[@gabriella2682]

Good for you love! Enjoy ♡

[@caryllmatilac2614]

Claire you are a household staple in my family ❤️. Yesterday I was lounging with my sister and we both realized we were both watching this video on our phones. Our mom bought us your cookbook last month to prepare for Christmas 😅. Been practicing and trying out some recipies ever since. ❤

[@adekemikasali]

Great recipe! I made this yesterday and had a few notes: if you don't want the bars to be too sour reduce the juice by at least half a cup! I did this and the bars were still pretty sour. Also, you don't need a dozen eggs. I did one whole egg and six yolks (i think you could even do 5) and they set very well.

[@tigerfox68]

Just made these too. There’s not enough powered sugar to make these less tart 😢

[@michealpersicko9531]

@@tigerfox68 A lemon curd is supposed to be tart it's LEMON curd not lemon candy curd

[@GrimlyYours]

​@@michealpersicko9531 Sweet lemons are a thing in more than just candy, genius; this is a _dessert_ 🙄 How abt you stop minding other people's business and start minding your own.

[@Uioloiloo]

I did 1 egg 5 yolks (unplanned, I just broke a yolk) and they turned out sort of like mixed up jello, it set nicely and the sides hold their shape but still, not so firm, still very good

[@shawnchung6388]

L​@@michealpersicko9531

[@johrathbun]

Last holiday season I made the mint lime bars, so am lookin' forward to making these this year! Thanks Claire, ftw!

[@applesushi]

I made those for Xmas dinner and they were great. I substituted gluten free flour for the crust because of some intolerance in the party and they still turned out fantastic. The lemon curd is tart and delicious. Highly recommended. Thank you, Claire.

[@AstroMoonGoddess]

I made lemon bars for the very first time during the holidays 2021. They were a big hit. I followed a recipe from Preppy Kitchen. I wasn’t pleased with my shortbread, it was a tad too hard, so I’m looking for another recipe to follow. I bought Dessert Person and can’t wait to try more of Claire’s recipes. 💚

[@clarebeelman9691]

Great explanations and camera shots of how to judge doing things correctly!

[@lilsislaura]

This was my first time making lemon curd and I will say Claire’s method was a success! Ingredients were very straight forward. The directions were not greatly technical. I’m excited to eat the bars after cooling completely!

[@mitskilover4life]

oh im so excited to make these my friends and family will LOVE them! they look so amazing thank you Claire

[@kayfarquar2034]

I look forward to trying this recipe. You are so right about the average recipe being too sweet! From good bakeries, these bars can be a pretty sophisticated tasting dessert, and that's the taste I'm craving! thank you!

[@elysetodd2308]

Lemon bars are life! Love the use of a custard instead of a curd.

[@iliatimpanaro9605]

I made your mint lime bars last weekend, using bergamot instead of lime and lemon. Amazing! Love your recipes so much!

[@xbsidesx]

You’re the cutest. I’m very glad KZbin recommended this video. The way you care to explain the details is pretty nice. Thank you!

[@darkblueorchids]

i decided to do this recipe for christmas instead of the key lime pie that we do almost every year. it's very tangy and strong, but we all love it! probably this will be a regular recipe on festive holidays here 🥰

[@keriannap]

Claire! I haven't watched in years and I loved this video so much. I love how informative and doable this was. I felt like I was watching Good Eats!

[@benmo6609]

I made this recipe for thanksgiving and am making it again for Christmas. They are way too tasty. Great video.

[@mahogany9540]

love love love tart desserts so thank you for this one

[@starfire1916]

I love Claire for these videos thank you! Lemon curd is my favorite

[@timbeers7682]

Thank you Queen Claire! These sound fantastic. They’ll have to wait until after cookie baking season is over. I have lots of tins I need to fill!

[@jeeess9979]

wow you made this look so easy!!

[@chip_malt]

Love this video, the recipe, and Made In's cookware!

[@skinnybuddha8988]

I always like my lemon bars with a little crispy char, and these look amazing. Love this recipe.

[@hirtisrandolph4843]

And this is why I bought myself both books for Christmas, to make Harris' trip for lemons worth it.

[@camadams9149]

LOVE lemon bars. Im always surprised that aren't brownie level popular. They are really easy & taste great

[@luciawatchescontent]

i love lemons so much so i can't wait to make this!!

[@Sarah-uu6wo]

Okay so i turned on the new Netflix show Snack vs. Chef and unless Claire tells us that she was approached and passed up this show I am so mad. She would have been a perfect judge! Its literally what she made famous on YT and she is uniquely qualified to judge and explain where contestants went right and wrong.

[@lianora3185]

made these last sunday and they were amazing and sweet. If I made this again i might try cutting the sugar in the curd a bit

[@mompreneurlife]

Mmm ❤ Nothing more refreshing than the smell of lemon. This is a nice recipe. We don’t make a lot of bars at home but will certainly have to try ❤

[@sonmezcaglar]

i have just baked and tasted this and everyone loved it. Measurements are perfect even though i made half.

[@juliannek6885]

Can't wait to make these!! That bakeware from Made In is gorgeous!!

[@pheonixfeather292]

So glad you included these-and at the perfect time! The only thing my husband wants for his birthday next month is a batch of lemon bars 😂 these look divine!

[@aoihura]

Oh WOW! This looks so good 🤤😍

[@felsteadgardens]

lemon squares are my fave holiday baked goods, I have to make these!

[@AussieAngeS]

I love lemon bars, those look fabulous 😍😍

[@peachmilkshake_]

Vinny, the cat being on the counter with the food is conflict enough for me. Thanks lol

[@baguette9692]

i'm droooling! i love this so muchhh

[@mangolorianmother]

Having a newborn at home found this recipe quick to make but was still rushing to make it while the baby was sleeping. So, made the shortbread and baked it, and then went straight to making curd. Was so happy that shortbread baked just slightly before my curd was cooked. Grabbed a mesh strainer, poured curd on the shortbread, shoot to to owen and did a little happy dance because I made it all before baby woke up! Adored the baking through the owen glass for a while, happily turned around and there it goes - butter that was suppose to go into curd was smiling at me from the table 😮😂 So yeah…I found the final result a bit too eggy for my liking 😂 maybe will try again. And will put that butter into curd this time…

[@natashajohnston381]

I have been wanting to make these for days now and just got all the ingredients and I literally had a nightmare like this last night 😂😂😂 cuz “ of course I would “😅

[@samanthajones3049]

First time watching you....and I am in LOVE!❤ can't wait to try this for my family 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@hepcatliz]

Claire's are the only videos I watch at 1.0 speed. They're so comforting 😅🥰

[@tifauk]

Oh man, I'm so glad I found you've carried on since watching you with Bon Apetit. Your videos were always my favourite!

[@revelationtek3]

I love lemon bars. My grandma used to make them, but those days are over. I wish I had that recipe, but I will try this one to see if it is similar.

[@sleepysloth2385]

I'm so ready to make this recipe! My brother doesn't really like sweets and lemon bars is one of the few desserts he will eat. I tried making them from scratch before and it didn't go well. Hoping this recipe doesn't fail me!!!

[@annie7395]

Hi Claire! My mom loooves lemon bars so I'm definitely making this recupe for Christmas! Sorry if this has been ask/answered in an earlier videos, but when would you choose a porcelain pan over a metal one?

[@user-gq9om9mc4r]

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

[@schoonerthedog]

Made these last night, 11/10 super tangy, tart, and sweet all at once

[@joannawagoner8901]

mine are chilling in the fridge right now, thank you claire, i don't think i've ever made something so pretty

[@goeshen4359]

This I possibly might have the aptitude to actually pull off!! Please keep going enjoying the loving art of cuisine and showing us a way to to find our journey to enhance our everyday lives/taste- buds and creating nourishing art. Thank you!! 🎨🖌🧑🏽‍🍳🐱🐈‍⬛✨

[@miguelangel-zg1bp]

Inspiring, Thank you❤

[@MRFLAPPYTREE]

Making these right now for thanksgiving tomorrow. Looking forward to them so much. The custard tastes so good so I can't wait for these to be done. I definitely need to invest in a better juicer though. I was using a hand press and I damn near bent the thing in half trying to get all the lemon out. Time for an upgrade

[@necrodefecator]

Massaging the zest is the ultimate treat for lemon lovers 🍋♥

[@froggirl96]

i'm so excited to try making these! lemon bars are my favorite but i rarely can get them anywhere that makes them tart enough, i like my jaw to pucker!!

[@k9spot1]

She was delivering the add copy with zero energy and the she said the words mac and cheese and I watched real time as the light of day entered her heart

[@laurenschenck5355]

OMG! Looks so delicious ❤

[@patrickeugeni2513]

A great midwinter treat!

[@muffinamy83]

Lemon bars are my 2nd favorite dessert :) Will try these!

[@Thilykos]

"I'm just brushing a little melted butter to prevent sticking, and it gives something for the parchment to stick to" I love that. xD These are really goooood.

[@ccshan]

Here for the "I already know this bowl is too small but I'm going with it" energy

[@Blackolive28]

I literally had to adapt the lime mint bars from Dessert Person to just lemon yesterday 😩 and now you give is this. Always in my brain with you're recipes. To be entirely fair. The adaption went swimmingly and I added raspberries. So they were delish.

[@madelynnguyen3733]

i’m making these with raspberry as well 🥰 i was thinking of adding crushed freeze dried raspberries to the powdered sugar on top! so excited to try them

[@Blackolive28]

@Madelyn Nguyen that is a great idea to add color to otherwise boring powder sugar. I ❤ it.

[@damned_1]

I appreciate, very much, the way you explain and demonstrate everything. Also, the tools/appliances used, most of us already have. Thank you! 🥹💗

[@user-qd3wi6jm8o]

I love these videos!

[@samsteronic]

I Looooove Lemons! I need to make these or a tart!

[@danbev8542]

A little insurance for putting a frozen ceramic pan in a hot oven is to put it on a room temperature baking sheet. I’ve been doing this for years with my craft fair pottery pie pans - so far, it works! Good, tart, lemon bars are one of the best things in the world! Thank you, Claire!

[@LaLaLaAllDayLong]

Finally I love lemon bars!!

[@bisharrykatz59]

I may try to incorporate this curd recipe with my own recipe for lemon bars (based on one from David Lebovitz) which I love. I know when I'm going to make the lemon bars, so I blitz the zest with the sugar a day or so before making and use the lemon flesh. Makes for a very lemony lemon bar. I will definitely use the tip to use parchment paper in lieu of aluminum foil though (thanks!). Love the channel and the cookbooks. Claire's chocolate chip cookie recipe is now the only one I use.

[@mtbman1980]

I made these today they are great

[@AmyLeeAngelLove]

That looks GOOOOOD!!! Can you suggest an egg replacement for the lemon bars?

[@julieblair7472]

It's easier to use that microplane against the lemon, like a bow on a violin. It gets it all off in one pass and you can see what you're doing without turning the lemon over and looking. All the zest piles up and the curved edges keep it contained while you go.

[@AnnetteJosephstyle]

me too pucker bring it on! Love this lemon bar recipe. Making these for sure...🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋🍋

[@douglawson8937]

when you said "really sour lemon filling", my whole mouth salivated intensely XD. Thank you for that haha

[@creepypapermultipack]

Yessssssssss give me a tart lemon dessert over a sweet one any day 🙌

[@Mister_kipling]

I was this old when I learned what fraisage is !! Love it 😀

[@elizabethwhite3941]

Lovely recipe, I love how you explain every step and the reason for it. They look amazingly delicious! Must make these for our next family get together. Can you tell Me … the stripey dress or top you had on when you cut the bars, where did you get it from it’s really quite pretty. I have just ordered your 2 Cookbooks from Amazon Australia Dessert Person and What’s For Dessert … can’t wait to get them! I hope the recipe for a lemon Bars is in the Dessert Person cookbook.

[@indyinvy]

Congrats on the New York Magazine cover! So cool seeing you there!

[@user-vg7zv5us5r]

14:58 White sause (bechamel) readiness indicator, which is what makes this curd a mother curd similar to how bechamel is a mother (meaning "base") sauce to other sauces.

[@h7opolo]

2:00 great editing idea to have the caption or speech bubble interact with the hand gesture. it's an accurate visualization of paralanguage comprehension.

[@barbaras2072]

These freeze wonderfully

[@chrissie1668]

Yum! Imagine this with meringue on top.Lemon meringue slice.

[@laurenschenck5355]

YOUR THE GREATEST CLAIRE ❤❤❤❤

[@omaretman2721]

I opened youtube coming to watch something on your channel only to find out theres a new recipe??? Of my fave dessert??! Whew!!