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.
Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars [1]
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 [2] Lemon Bars recipe.
- 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
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 [6] 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 [7] by Caroline's Cooking
- Creamy Vanilla-Orange Overnight Oats [8] by A Little Fish in the Kitchen
- Key Lime Muffins with Key Lime Glaze [9] by Family Around The Table
- Lemon Donut Holes [10] by The Bitter Side of Sweet
- Lemon Poppy Seed Quick Bread [11] by Pies and Plots
- Lemon Ricotta Pancakes [12] by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Muffins [13] by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins [14] by Jersey Girl Cooks
- Tiny Batch Blood Orange Marmalade [15] by What Smells So Good?
Main Dishes
- 10 Minute Lemon Pasta With Crispy Basil [16] by Sprinkles and Sprouts
- Asian Lemon Chicken [17] by Brunch-n-Bites
- Calamansi Shrimp on Couscous [18] by Asian In America
- Citrus Marinated Chicken Thighs [19] by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Citrus-Glazed Scallops with Chunky Avocado Salsa [20] by The Weekend Gourmet
- Lemon Lime Shrimp Cocktail w/a Citrus Yogurt Dipping Sauce [21] by The Freshman Cook
- Lemon Ricotta Spaghetti with Peas [22] by Cricket's Confections
- Meyer Lemon Chicken Piccata [23] by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- One Pan Parmesan Lemon Chicken and Asparagus [24] by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Orange Beef [25] by Palatable Pastime
- Easy Instant Pot Orange Chicken [26] by A Mind “Full” Mom
- Skillet Roasted Lemon Chicken [27] by My Savory Spoon
- Slow Cooked Orange Chicken Breasts [28] by Simple and Savory
- Thai Lime Basil Chicken Stir Fry [29] by Wholistic Woman
Desserts
- Banana Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting [30] by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Clementine Pistachio Pomegranate Upside Down Cake [31] by Sunday Supper Movement
- Easy Japanese Lemon Yuzu Bars [32] by The Ninja Baker
- Key Lime Chiffon Pie [33] by Food Done Light
- Lemon & Blueberry Skillet Cake [34] by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Lemon Key Lime Layer Snack Cakes [35] by Crazed Mom
- Meyer Lemon Creme Brulee [36] by Soulfully Made
- Pink Grapefruit Meringue Tart [37] by Baking Sense
- Sittin’ On a Sandbar Key Lime Pie [38] by Gourmet Everyday
- Starbucks Lemon Loaf Recipe [39] by Life Tastes Good
- The Best Lemon Bars Recipe [40] by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Triple Citrus Macaroon Mascarpone Tart [41] by The Crumby Cupcake
- Triple Lemon Poke Cake [42] by Shaken Together
Beverages
- Homemade Grapefruit Soda [43] by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Pineapple Orange Smoothie [44] by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Ruby Red Mimosa [45] by Our Good Life
- Simple Meyer Lemon Margaritas [46] by My Life Cookbook
- Watermelon Limeade [47] by From the Bookshelf
[48]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 [49] and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes [48], visit our website or check out our Pinterest board [50]. Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement [51].