Description
Glazed Lemon Poppy Seed Bars are a zesty, moist dessert featuring a tangy lemon glaze and crunchy poppy seeds, perfect for any citrus lover.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest (from about 1 lemon)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (for glaze)
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (3–5 minutes).
- Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the poppy seeds.
- Spread batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and top is lightly golden.
- While bars cool, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth to make the glaze. Adjust consistency if needed.
- Once bars are completely cool, pour glaze evenly over the top and allow it to drip down the sides. Garnish with lemon zest if desired. Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- To make gluten-free, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and check that your baking powder is gluten-free.
- For a dairy-free version, replace butter with dairy-free margarine or coconut oil.
- To make it vegan, replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water per egg).
- Try using lime or orange zest for a citrus twist.
- Ensure bars are completely cool before glazing to prevent glaze from melting off.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: lemon poppy seed bars, lemon dessert, citrus bars, glazed lemon bars, poppy seed treat