This recipe had me at lemongrass. These lemongrass squares with coconut shortbread crust are sweet, tart, buttery and delicious!

Lemongrass Squares with Coconut Shortbread Crust l www.SimplyScratch.com

I’m a huge lemon fan! Lemon zest in my pancakes, lemon juice over my fish and definitely lemon in my bars! And the simple fact that this recipe calls for both lemons and lemongrass totally excited me!

I first spotted this recipe in my March issue of Bon Appétit. There is a section dedicated to lemongrass, with recipes like a Lemongrass Mojito and Malaysian Beef Curry, but this recipe won me over with its simple ingredients, easy approach and what turned out to be delicious results!!

From the moment I took the first bite of this dessert I knew this was a keeper. The coconut shortbread crust is flakey and tasty, which would be great all by its self. But the lemongrass filling!!! Oh my word… it’s… it’s… ooey and gooey and oh so lemony! Words cannot EVEN describe how I love these bars. And since I am writing about my new favorite dessert, I think it fitting that I eat one while I type. You know, for creative purposes.

To Make These Lemongrass Squares You Will Need:

For The Shortbread Crust:
  • unbleached all-purpose flour
  • sweetened shredded coconut flakes
  • powdered sugar
  • kosher salt
  • unsalted butter, room temp, plus more for pan
FOR THE FILLING:
  • sugar
  • lemongrass stalks, tough outer layer removed, finely chopped (scant 1/2 cup)
  • lemons (juice of)
  • eggs
  • all-purpose flour
  • kosher salt
  • powdered sugar, for dusting

Butter a 9x13x2 metal baking pan.

To start, in a large mixing bowl, add the 1-1/2 cups flour, 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut flakes, 1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.

Then mix until combined.

Next slice up 1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 3 tablespoons room temperature butter and add it to the flour mixture.

Mix on low until the dough forms wet crumbles.

Tip the coconut shortbread it into the buttered pan. And with your impeccably clean fingers, press it evenly on the bottom and up the sides about 1/2 an inch up the sides of the pan.

Slip the pan into your preheated oven and bake on the middle rack for approximately 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Once the crust is removed you should reduce the ovens temperature to 325°.

Thinly slice 5 stalks of lemon grass and add along with the 1-1/4 cup sugar to a food processor.

Pulse until the lemongrass is blended in with the sugar.

Mmm lemongrass sugar.

I bet this would be yummy in iced tea or an adult beverage of some sort.

Next, juice 2 to 3 large lemons or until you have 5 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.

Strain the lemon juice through a mesh strainer before adding to the sugar mixture. Pulse for about 30 seconds.

Next add the 3 whole eggs and pulse for 10-15 seconds.

Finally add in the 1/4 cup flour.

Lastly, season with a pinch of kosher salt.

Blend until smooth and glorious.

Pour into the hot crust.

Lean over and take a deep breath.

Now place in the oven for 22-23 minutes or until filling is firm.

Remove and let cool.

Cut.

And dust with a tablespoon of powdered sugar or until you heart is content!!

Enjoy! And if you give these Lemongrass Squares a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!

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Yield: 12 bars

Lemongrass Squares with Coconut Shortbread Crust

This recipe had me at lemongrass. These lemongrass squares with coconut shortbread crust are sweet, tart, buttery and delicious!
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 23 minutes
Total Time: 53 minutes

Ingredients

FOR THE CRUST:

  • 1½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temp, plus more for greasing pan

FOR THE FILLING:

  • 1¼ cup sugar
  • 3 to 5 lemongrass stalks, tough outer layer removed, finely chopped (scant 1/2 cup)
  • 5 tablespoons lemon juice, fresh squeezed and strained
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 pinch kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar, for serving

Instructions 

MAKE THE CRUST:

  • Preheat oven to 350° and butter a 9x13x2 metal baking pan.
  • Using an electric mixer combine the flour, coconut, powdered sugar and kosher salt into the mixing bowl and mix on low until combined.
  • Add butter; beat on low until the dough comes together in wet clumps.
  • With your fingers; press dough onto the bottom and 1/2 inch up the sides of the pan. Bake crust until golden (edges may be darker), for about 20-25 minutes.

MAKE THE FILLING:

  • Place the sugar and lemongrass into a food processor; pulse until the lemongrass is finely ground, about a minute.
  • Pour in the lemon juice and process for 30 seconds. Add eggs, process to blend for 10-15 seconds. Add the flour and a pinch of kosher salt; pulse until smooth.
  • Reduce the heat to 325°.
  • Pour the lemongrass mixture onto the hot coconut crust and place in the oven for 22-23 minutes or until the filling is firm.
  • Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut in to twelve squares, dust with powdered sugar and serve!
Serving: 1g, Calories: 327kcal, Carbohydrates: 45g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 77mg, Sodium: 140mg, Potassium: 81mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 30g, Vitamin A: 418IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Laurie McNamara
Course: Desserts & Sweet Treats
Cuisine: American