Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars #SundaySupper

Entering springtime is like getting to color again with bright lemon and blushing rose crayons. Stark tree branches now blossom with flowers. It’s a season of hope.

Perhaps the plethora of lemons used in spring baking, reflects the optimistic moods of recipe makers. Ironically, winter is the prime time for American lemon and its Japanese citrus cousin, yuzu. Italian lemons (specifically in the Sorrento region) are at their best in spring to late fall.

Whatever the season, I’m confident the Ninja Baker’s Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars will always receive a warm welcome. If I lived in Japan, I’d probably only use yuzu. The Japanese citrus provides a more perfect pucker. (In technical talk, yuzu is more astringent than the American lemon.) In the USA, however, only yuzu juice and dried yuzu bits are sold. So, lemon zest is still required.

My Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars received rave reviews from my husband’s colleagues. However, to satisfy my sweet tooth, to counteract the slightly bitter yuzu, I’d add a tablespoon or two of sugar. Next time, too, I think the sugar cookie dough should be doubled. If your tastes tend towards less sugar, ignore the options for the Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars recipe below.

Lemons and yuzu brighten desserts. Luscious Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars do make me smile. (Especially since the recipe is sooo easy!) But so does poetry. Here’s Emily Dickinson with a spirit brightener:

That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops - at all -

And sweetest - in the Gale - is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet - never - in Extremity,
It asked a crumb - of me.

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Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars

Luscious, lovely and light Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars present a perfect pucker. The tart Japanese yuzu juice is fantabulous. But you may want to add an extra sugar if you have a sweet tooth. Also, if you're a cookie fan, use 2 rolls of cookie dough.

Ninja Note 1: Yuzu juice is available online and at most Asian markets.
Ninja Note 2: Dried Japanese yuzu bits add dimension and texture. However, you can omit the bits and/or substitute coconut.

This recipe is adapted from a Pillsbury Lemon Bars recipe.

Ingredients:

1 roll refrigerated sugar cookies (2 rolls if you like a thicker cookie crust)
4 eggs, lightly whipped with a fork or chopsticks
1½ cups sugar (plus 2 to 3 extra tablespoons)
2 tablespoons flour (plus another tablespoon or two for pressing the crust into place)
2 tablespoons softened butter
3 tablespoons dried Japanese yuzu bits
Zest of 1 large lemon (2 tablespoons)
1/3 cup Japanese yuzu juice
5 tablespoons powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350°

Line a 13 x 9 pan with parchment paper. Coat with baking spray.

Dip your fingers in flour. Press the sugar cookie dough(s) into the pan evenly.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Place the whipped eggs in a large bowl. Beat in the sugar, flour, butter and yuzu bits until combined. Stir in the lemon zest and Japanese yuzu juice. Pour the mixture over the warm baked sugar cookie crust.

Bake for another 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges are golden. Cool completely.

Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut, serve and enjoy!

The lovely Lisa Grant of Jersey Girl Cooks hosts today's Sunday Supper. Click below on any of the citrus recipes below which are designed to celebrate springtime and make you smile.

Sunday Supper Citrus Recipes That Will Make You Smile

Breakfasts

Chocolate Orange Cinnamon Rolls by Caroline's Cooking
Creamy Vanilla-Orange Overnight Oats by A Little Fish in the Kitchen
Key Lime Muffins with Key Lime Glaze by Family Around The Table
Lemon Donut Holes by The Bitter Side of Sweet
Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread by Pies and Plots
Lemon Ricotta Pancakes by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Muffins by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins by Jersey Girl Cooks
Tiny Batch Blood Orange Marmalade by What Smells So Good?

Main Dishes

10 Minute Lemon Pasta With Crispy Basil by Sprinkles and Sprouts
Asian Lemon Chicken by Brunch-n-Bites
Calamansi Shrimp on Couscous by Asian In America
Citrus Marinated Chicken Thighs by A Day in the Life on the Farm
Citrus-Glazed Scallops with Chunky Avocado Salsa by The Weekend Gourmet
Lemon Lime Shrimp Cocktail w/a Citrus Yogurt Dipping Sauce by The Freshman Cook
Lemon Ricotta Spaghetti with Peas by Cricket's Confections
Meyer Lemon Chicken Piccata by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
One Pan Parmesan Lemon Chicken and Asparagus by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
Orange Beef by Palatable Pastime
Easy Instant Pot Orange Chicken by A Mind “Full” Mom
Skillet Roasted Lemon Chicken by My Savory Spoon
Slow Cooked Orange Chicken Breasts by Simple and Savory
Thai Lime Basil Chicken Stir Fry by Wholistic Woman

Desserts

Banana Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
Clementine Pistachio Pomegranate Upside Down Cake by Sunday Supper Movement
Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars by The Ninja Baker
Key Lime Chiffon Pie by Food Done Light
Lemon & Blueberry Skillet Cake by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
Lemon Key Lime Layer Snack Cakes by Crazed Mom
Meyer Lemon Creme Brulee by Soulfully Made
Pink Grapefruit Meringue Tart by Baking Sense
Sittin’ On a Sandbar Key Lime Pie by Gourmet Everyday
Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe by Life Tastes Good
The Best Lemon Bars Recipe by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Triple Citrus Macaroon Mascarpone Tart by The Crumby Cupcake
Triple Lemon Poke Cake by Shaken Together

Beverages

Homemade Grapefruit Soda by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
Pineapple Orange Smoothie by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
Ruby Red Mimosa by Our Good Life
Simple Meyer Lemon Margaritas by My Life Cookbook
Watermelon Limeade by From the Bookshelf

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

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Tags:

#easyrecipe #Japanese #lemon #yuzu #SundaySupper