Greek Yogurt Meyer Lemon Bars : No Grating Required

Sneak Preview: These Greek Yogurt Meyer Lemon Bars start with a coconut shortbread base. Layer a sweet custard flavored with Meyer lemons and creamy Greek yogurt over the cookie base. The recipe calls for using the entire lemon (minus seeds)–no grating or squeezing required.

MEYER LEMON YOGURT SQUARE on plate with a forkPin

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Are you a lemon bar lover but aren’t crazy about grating or squeezing lemons? This recipe has a secret for avoiding that job.

Three Reasons Why This Recipe Is a Keeper

  1. Do you ever find it challenging to get the first cookie out of the pan without messing it up? This recipe has a secret for that, too.
  2. Do you have Meyer lemons in your possession but aren’t sure what to do with them? This recipe uses Meyer lemon juice for a milder version of classic lemon bars.
  3. Are you a Greek yogurt lover (maybe you even make it at home) and need more ways to use it? You probably hear this recipe calling your name.

Happy Bakers Speak Up

“Love this recipe and your website! Made it last week and making it today again. Thanks!”WINNIE


Have You Tried Meyer Lemons Yet?

The tartness of a lemon + the sweetness of a Mandarine orange= a Meyer lemon. Perfect for these lemon squares made with a buttery shortbread crust. Meyer lemons are typically in season from December to May, so act fast or bookmark this recipe for the future.

Can I Substitute Regular Lemons for Meyer Lemons?

I don’t recommend it. Regular lemons make a much more tart and intense flavor that only the most die-hard lemon lovers would appreciate. Fresh clementine oranges sold as “Cuties” or “Halos” are a possible replacement.

Recipe Inspiration

Even though I borrowed ideas from many places, this Meyer lemon square recipe makes a lighter flavor and texture than classic lemon bars.

  1. The crust is adapted from the shortbread cookie base in Pam Anderson’s The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight & Eating Great(paid link) (one of my favorite cookbooks). You’ve seen the same buttery crust before in my Toffee Bars Made Easy
  2. I read about lemongrass bars in a recent issue of Bon Appetit with coconut added to the shortbread base. I tried it and loved the flavor.
  3. Dorie Greenspan gave me the idea to use a blender to pulverize a whole lemon in her recipe for Tartest Lemon Tart published in Baking From My House to Yours(paid link).  As a result of this revolutionary method, no squeezing or grating is required. Show me another lemon bar recipe like that!
  4. I wanted a creamy lemon layer instead of a clear, lemon pie-like filling. Since I always have Greek yogurt in the refrigerator, yogurt is the perfect addition to make these lemon bar cookies smooth and creamy.

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • MEYER LEMONS: This recipe is best with Meyer lemons. Regular lemons need lots more sugar to make them palatable.
  • FLOUR: Use all-purpose bleached or unbleached flour. You’ll need a cup of flour for the crust layer but only one tablespoon of flour for the filling.
  • COCONUT: Coconut is optional. It will add a lot of flavor, though.
  • SUGAR: Use powdered or confectioners’ sugar in the crust. You’ll need a cup of granulated sugar for the filling.
  • EGGS: I use large eggs in all of my recipes. This recipe calls for whole eggs.
  • GREEK YOGURT: Yogurt adds creaminess to these lemon bars. If you can only get regular yogurt, use a strainer with a paper towel inside to drain some of the whey off until the yogurt is as thick as Greek yogurt.

When you make bar cookies, how hard is it to get the first cookie out in one piece?

I no longer have to eat ugly corner cookies because I have found a better way. Non-stick aluminum foil is my secret.

If you want to try out this secret, make these Chewy Coconut Pecan Bars or these Frosted Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Drizzled with Chocolate.

How To Line the Pan and Prepare the Crust

Line your baking pan with aluminum foil to make serving sticky cookies neat and easy. It also saves clean-up time. This tip works exceptionally well for bar cookies, Rice Krispie squares, candy, etc.

I recommend non-stick aluminum foil. It’s the easiest. If you don’t have it, use regular foil and spray it with vegetable oil.

lining a pan with aluminum foilPin

1. Place the dull side of the foil next to the outside of the pan. Use your hands to make the foil conform to the shape of the pan.
2. Lift the foil from the outside of the pan and place it inside the pan. Push the corners into place with gentle fingers.
3. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
4. Add the crust ingredients and stir with a fork. Press the mixture into your prepared pan, and bake before topping it with the Greek yogurt filling.


How To Prepare the Meyer Lemon Yogurt Layer

Use a blender to make lemon filling for Meyer Lemon squares.Pin

1. After thoroughly washing the lemons, quarter them. Cut out the middle core and remove any seeds.
2. Add all of the filling ingredients to the blender.
3. When smooth, pour over the baked crust and bake.
4. Dust with confectioner’s sugar after the bars cool (a couple of hours).


FAQs About Greek Yogurt Meyer Lemon Bars

Can I leave the coconut out of the crust?

Yes. The coconut adds extra flavor. But if you aren’t a fan, it won’t affect the crust to leave it out.

Can I freeze these bars after baking them?

I don’t recommend it. The lemon filling is rather delicate. Better to eat them within a day or two. The batch is small, so that shouldn’t be difficult.

What are the dark spots in my lemon bars?

If you miss a seed, it will appear as a dark spot (looks like pepper) in the filling. Don’t worry. It won’t affect the taste.

Should these lemon bars be stored in the refrigerator?

Yes. The eggs and yogurt are perishable.



Parting Thoughts: If you want more opportunities to try out my foil-lined-pan trick, try these Chewy Coconut Pecan Bars or these Frosted Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Drizzled with Chocolate.

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MEYER LEMON YOGURT SQUARES--one square on plate ready to eatPin
Yield: 12 squares

Greek Yogurt Meyer Lemon Bars: No Grating Required

These Meyer Lemon Bars with Greek yogurt start with a coconut shortbread base underneath a Meyer lemon layer. Greek yogurt makes it creamy. The recipe calls for using the entire lemon (minus seeds)–no grating or squeezing required.

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Video

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes

Ingredients
 

Cookie Layer:

  • ¼ cup (57 g) butter
  • ¼ cup (30 g) powdered sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon table or sea salt
  • ½ cup (40 g) shredded coconut
  • 1 cup (120 g) unbleached all-purpose flour

Lemon layer:

  • 1 whole Meyer lemon
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 (100 g) large eggs
  • cup (67 g) plain Greek yogurt

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C).

Preparing the pan:

  • Prepare an 8-inch square pan by lining it with non-stick aluminum foil. Mold foil to the shape of the pan by turning it over. Use your hands to shape the foil. Then place the molded foil back inside. See the pictures in the post above. I highly recommend the foil, as the lemon filling can leak under the base and make removing the finished bars difficult.

Making the cookie layer:

  • Melt 1/4 cup (57 g) butter in the microwave for 50 seconds on HIGH in a quart-size glass dish.
    1/4 cup (57 g) butter
  • Add 1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon table or sea salt, and 1/2 cup (40 g) shredded coconut. Lightly mix with a fork until all ingredients are moistened. Add 1 cup (120 g) unbleached all-purpose flour and stir until moistened. Use your fingers and pat this mixture into your prepared pan.
    1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup (40 g) shredded coconut
  • Bake in the oven at 350˚F (180˚C) for 20 minutes.

Making the lemon layer:

  • Quarter 1 whole Meyer lemon, washed and dried . Trim the center core and remove ALL seeds. (If you miss one, you’ll have dark specks in your lemon layer.)
  • Place the quartered lemon into a blender with 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar and pulse on high until the mixture is homogeneous. Add 1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, pulsing until mixed. Add 2 (100 g) large eggs and 1/3 cup (67 g) plain Greek yogurt, pulsing only 3-4 times or until the batter is mixed and smooth.
    1 cup (120 g) unbleached all-purpose flour, 1/4 teaspoon table or sea salt, 1 whole Meyer lemon, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 2 (100 g) large eggs, 1/3 cup (67 g) plain Greek yogurt
  • Pour the lemon mixture over the warm crust immediately after removing the crust from the oven. Put back into the oven and bake at 325˚F (170˚C) for 20-25 minutes or until the middle is set.
  • When cool, place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours. Pull bars out of the pan with the foil still attached. Peel the foil away and cut into squares while cold. Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving. Serve chilled. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

Notes

* Do not layer bars when storing or serving. The crust will soften where they are stacked on top of each other.
 

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 182kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 172mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 162IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

All images and text ©️ Paula Rhodes for Salad in a Jar.com

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151 Comments

  1. I am in the process of making these bars. Just put them in the oven. I love your tips and ideas. We have a mutual friend Sharon, & I am a Sonographer and aspiring cook. I wanted to know what you thought about boiling the lemon (whole) in sugar water to get it tender before attempting to blend. I did pop them in the microwave for 15 sec. to soften them. Maybe it’s my blender or the fact I used regular lemons (not Meyer season) but I felt I needed to strain the lemon sugar mixture. It was too lumpy. Love the added coconut to the crust, hope the recipient (lemon lover) does too. PS love the use of “homogenous” in your recipe, it’s a lil ultrasound and a lil culinary.

  2. Love this recipe and your website! Made it last week and making it today again. Thanks!

  3. This lemon bar recipe looks yummy. Seems like a great one to try and take to a family party.
    Is that sweetened coconut?
    Recently I made a recipe that needed coconut and I couldn’t find bagged coconut that didn’t have sugar in it.
    It must be out there but the three stores I went to didn’t carry it.
    If its unsweetened and I can’t find any-any tips so the lemon bars aren’t too sweet?
    Or how to ‘process’ a fresh coconut.
    Thanks,
    Jay

  4. Christina Lee says:

    Hey!
    Another great recipe that I can’t wait to try! I’m having a jewelry party on Saturday so I think I’ll need to make these for it! Thanks for sharing!

  5. It’s in the oven right now 🙂 I could not get the rinds to grind in my blender. They were supposed to go in the blender right? I didn’t have a meyer lemon so I used half of a lemon and half orange. The mix tasted sweet with a little tartness. Can’t wait to try them!!! Love your blog!

    1. Nancy, you must have some tough rinds or dull blades. Maybe it is your blender. Have never tried half a lemon and half an orange. Will be anxious to hear how it goes.

      1. Paula-They turned out FABULOUS! The orange helped bring down the tartness of the lemon. I have a Cuisinart blender. It may need to be sharpened. Thanks for the recipe! So far today, I have made your lemon bars, yogurt, and broccoli and rice casserole. All were great!

  6. Cookin' Canuck says:

    These lemon squares sound fantastic. I love the idea of using Greek yogurt to make a thicker, creamier filling.

  7. Wow, Paula! I love meyer lemons and have never baked with them before! These bars look scrumptious! On a separate note, your shortbread cookies were such a hit for St. Patricks day, I am making a batch for a baby shower…I can’t thank you enough for sharing that great recipe! Much appreciated. xo

  8. These bars look divine! This summer we’re planning on heading back to Tofino, on the furthest west coast of Vancouver Island. There we’ll catch crabs, go kayaking, play on the beach, eat homemade ice cream at Chocolate Tofino and crispy cod club sandwiches at Wildside Grill, have a fire, poke around tide pools, and play Blokus and eat Cheezies. (The real Canadian Hawkins kind!)

  9. Hey, I missed the deadline for the giveaway, but wanted to say how great these sound. Love the coconut in the crust and the use of yogurt in the filling. I would love to try these–soon.

  10. Simply Susan says:

    Don’t like coconut or these would be great. I love lemon tho’. Besides finishing a kitchen remodel, I can’t wait to go to Guatemala with my daughter to visit our Compassion sponsored 5 year old, Sofia, and give her a birthday party.

  11. Tammy Jennings says:

    This summer I plan to spend most of it in my backyard, working in the garden (growing all the stuff to make my salsa and extra tomatoes to can) and swimming in my pool. We also live at the beach so we go often!
    Tammy
    P.S. I love Salad in a Jar so much that it is one of the few I have on RSS feed!!

  12. LOVE LOVE lemon bars! My husband loves them even more than I do. 🙂
    We are going to The Steens Mountains to hike and stay in a cabin. When I say “We”, I mean my husband, our 3 kids (20 months – 6 yrs), My husband’s sister and her husband and their daughter, my mother in law, my sister in law’s mother in law and her husband’s sister. We love doing stuff as a family and we all ready have our next two summer trips planned. 🙂 Yellowstone then Disney Land. 🙂

  13. I plan on going to Italy to study abroad this summer. I get to take a class on Italian food and I am very excited. 🙂

  14. We plan to have a family bbq cookoff…can’t wait!! We all love to grill and are very competitive, so it should be interesting! Any tips or advice?

  15. i make a recipe similar to this, but this does sound better! will probably go to pa. or va! thanks for your blog i love it!

  16. Ann Marie Skelly says:

    Many dream of taking vacations to the beach once warm weather hits, but this summer, I will be staying home. My home, because I will be a brand new, first time homebuyer. While most find this exciting, I am a tad nervous. At 27 some people find this crazy, but I am close to my family and I am scared. Change isn’t always a bad thing, this I know. I worry about making spaghetti or a roast without my mom’s guidance, is it going to taste like hers? What kind of meat do I buy? ect. Will my friends and family come visit? I know the general answer is “OF COURSE THEY WILL” Not only will I be a moving this summer, but I will be “growing up” as well.

  17. This summer I plan on going to the beach lots with my “beach bum” toddler and I plan on cooking and eating lots of delicious food!

  18. Judy Rosenthal says:

    The Lemon Bars look delicious. I have to try them.

  19. We will be spending the summer at the beach. These lemon bars will be great to take down to the surf. Lemon and coconut—two of my favorites.

  20. Just found this website – love it! Let’s see, something fun this summer… Hopefully I’ll be buying a new car soon and will be able to take some day trips to places I have never been.

  21. Cait Williams says:

    Those bars look amazing! I love all things lemon. My wedding cake was even lemon with raspberry filling! I will definitely be making those bars the next time I have a get together.

  22. I have never tried Meyer lemons but they do sound good! The recipe – WOW. I have mentioned on my blog that my oldest grandson (age 13) loves anything lemon. What fun making these with him. I will let you know when we do.

    The giveaway is really nice of you! Your blog is a delightful place to visit with recipes that can really be counted on for being very good!

  23. Miranda D says:

    I will be studying in Germany for the summer. I have plans to go to Berlin and to Amsterdam. Thanks for the chance to win!

  24. What a delightful spring recipe! Looks scrumptious, Paula. Would love to have a few squares for dessert tonight. 🙂

  25. Summer plans to fix up the backyard into an oasis!!

  26. Rebekah VA says:

    Those look great!
    This summer will be mostly spent working but there are one or two small breaks in the works. Mostly I am looking forward to the sun’s reappearance and the warmer weather! 🙂

  27. I will have to make this very soon. The Lemon lovers at my house will thank you over and over for sharing this one with us. I hope to do a lot of yard work this spring and summer and add new flowers and plants. It should be very rewarding. Rain, we need rain though.

  28. I am simply looking forward to spending more time with my son! I am a teacher so I get some extra time to spend with him this summer. I am planning lots of get-togethers, museum trips, and fun times!

  29. Yum Yum! Lemon bars are one of those things that once you find a recipe you love, it’s hard to try any other recipes- I think you convinced me to try a new one 😉 . This summer we are going to camp on the coast of California and take the kids to Disneyland for the first time… It’s only a 30 hour drive! (PS. My blender just broke! I do hope I’m the lucky one.)

  30. Completing my master’s thesis this summer & learning to cook different recipes to keep me sane. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway

  31. This summer I plan to stay inside to avoid the Phoenix heat. It was 100 here on Friday. I’ll come outside again in November.

  32. I’m planning on working and enjoying baseball season this summer. Gina made the lemon bars today – they’re good!

  33. Can’t wait for summer and some warm weather, and Im thinking and dreaming about planting my vegetable garden!!

  34. Plant my garden, and pull weeds! I know this sounds odd, but I did not get to have a garden last year and I really missed the summer activity and work it requires.

  35. Glad to hear it. Thanks for reporting back.

  36. These look great! Plan on grilling some cedar plank salmon this summer…along with this for dessert!

  37. Jenn@eatcakefordinner says:

    Unfortunately I have never had Meyer Lemons. I’m not even sure if I can buy them where I live? I love a good lemon bar. Can I use regular plain non-fat yogurt or do I have to use Greek or was that a really dumb question and they are the same thing?

    This summer I can’t wait to take my one year old nephew to the Zoo and I can’t wait to get a suntan so I don’t look so ghostly anymore!!

    1. Jenn, I actually have not tried it but I bet it would work just fine. By the way, that is a very good question. Greek yogurt is just thicker than regular yogurt because it has been drained of quite a bit of the whey (the watery stuff that collects on top when regular yogurt sits for awhile).

      We are having quite warm weather here in Texas too. Noticed a lot of white legs in all those shorts–including mine.

  38. Kathy Drolette says:

    I just STUMBLED UPON your website! I bookmarked it and will visit often! I LOVE lemons! Froze 38 cups of lemon juice from my miniature lemon tree this winter. Can’t wait to try out this recipe! Awaiting 2 grandsons due this summer…one from my daughter due in July and one from my DIL due in June. Thanks for a chance to win the blender! -Kathy

  39. I have lemons just waiting on the tree for this.. Mmmmm. This summer is all about a nice veggie garden. I am trying my hand at straw bale gardening this year, something I have wanted to try for sometime. With any luck I will have a bumper crop of heirloom tomatoes !

  40. I will definitely try these lemon bars. Your pictures are “yummy”. This summer I would like to go to Yellowstone National Park again.

  41. Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says:

    These sound delicious! I have a few Meyer lemons left in my refrigerator that are begging to be used. 🙂

  42. I just discovered your website and oh.my.god. Love. And as a lover of all things real lemon, I cannot wait to try…now to track down meyer lemons…

  43. MarmandeintheKitchen says:

    Love the idea of yogurt in the filling and coconut in the shortbread. Looks great!

  44. I make lemon bars often for my Grandma – they’re her favorite. I have never made them with Meyer Lemons – must try these right now. Yum!
    And this summer, my little ones and I are planting our first garden! Yipee!

  45. I plan to travel from Bucks County, PA to visit my daughter who lives in San Diego, CA. I can’t wait!. Mary H.

  46. Mmmm lemony tang reminds me of summers as a kid. Right now, I’m wishing for summer…it snowed again yesterday….jeesh! Anyway, this summer, I’m hoping to get some home improvements done and be able to visit my son who lives just a little too far away to see as much as I’d like.

  47. Your bars look so good! Can’t wait to try some, soon. This summer we are going to remodel the master bedroom and master bath…YEA!! Mary

  48. Thanks for all the wonderful recipes. I shared the “Grilled Asparagus with Poached Egg and Toasty Crumbles” with my son who is a sous chef in South Beach Miami. He plans to make it at the hotel. You are so inspiring.

  49. lovely lemon squares, sound delicious, will have to try this weekend!
    this summer… visiting sisters and family in San Diego and at the end of July celebrating 9 years of marriage by going somewhere off for a week – we do it every year, some place new! 🙂

  50. This summer will be busy with a 14 year old playing baseball and an 18 year old getting ready for college. Wouldn’t miss one busy day for anything!

  51. With a new KitchenAid blender, these lemon bars would be the first things I’d whip up. Yum, yum! We live in RI, close to many fabu beaches, but this summer we will head north to take our kids camping on Cape Cod. For sure, I’ll bring some of Wayne’s Veggie Roll-ups with us (thanks for that gem recipe!).

    1. I’ll have to pass your comment on to Wayne. He would love it.

  52. Anne Wallace says:

    I will read a ton (since I am a teacher–I like to read all the new material that I can use next year), and we will go to St. Augustine, where we go every year. I need the fountain of youth that is supposed to be there! Thanks for your great recipes and this giveaway.

  53. Lovely lemon bars, yum. We are planning to go to the Kentucky Derby this summer – can’t wait!

  54. Thank you for a generous giveaway!
    This summer I am planning to get my recipes organized! I don’t know how but I’m going to get to it! 🙂

  55. M.J. Jacobsen says:

    I’m retiring this June, so I’m going to just enjoy every day that I don’t have to get up at 4:30!! 🙂

  56. Mmmmmm. . . I love anything with lemons. This recipe looks fabulous and I am definitely going to try it. Mom will love it as well. Please enter me into the giveaway. Thank you!

  57. Connie Vidler says:

    I’m just gonna have to try to make these. They look so yummy!

  58. I am looking forward to summer so much! I’m planning a vacation with my boyfriend to Breitenbush hot springs in Oregon. I’m also looking forward to having all of the wonderful fresh produce to cook with!

  59. Carla Ecland says:

    oooo, those look so yummy! How do you think they would adapt to key lime flavor?

  60. i am looking forward to planting cucumbers again this summer. last summer i planted alot and had a ball giving them to my neighbors, making pickles, and eating a ton of them (fresh, fresh, fresh) in salads!

  61. I’m planning on starting a small garden this summer – wish me luck! (And thanks for a great giveaway!)

  62. Plan on going to Nicaragua to visit my Compassion sponsored child.

  63. These bars sound amazing!!!! I wish I had a blender to be able to make them though…

    This summer I will travel to Nepal! I am soooo excited. I have never been to Asia before!

    xoxo,

    Ms.Z.

  64. I plan on having FUN with my family!

  65. My husband thanks you for this recipe! He’s been asking for lemon bars but so far I’ve declined because the daunting task of juicing and zesting the lemons is enough to prevent me from making them. I will definitely try this method of pulverizing it with the blender, especially if I have a nice new one! This summer we’re moving to Florida (YAY! Lots of fresh citrus fruits at our fingertips!) so I plan on exploring our new town and spending lots of time at the beach 🙂
    P.S. I’m inspired by your addition of coconut to the crust! Looks amazing!

  66. Nicole Pelletier says:

    Going to try this with regular lemons today!

    As for the summer I am mostly looking forward to all the fresh summer produce, wandering the farmers markets and drinking lemonade at the beach 🙂

  67. I was just thinking I may not be able to make this recipe with my blender because it’s so bad! Then I got to the giveaway! What a great recipe!
    This summer I am planning on spending a lot of time with my family, friends and the pool!

  68. cookie Lynch says:

    My summer will be spending time with my grands having fun at the beach or the pool , riding the golfcart or playing outside. We also spend time Baking yummy cookies & we will certainly try Meyer Lemon bars.

  69. This summer I will be teaching baby ducklings to swim. They are arriving next week ! I also raise chickens who will be generously donating the eggs for this yummy-looking recipe !

  70. This summer I will be teaching baby ducklings to swim :0) They will be arriving next week. I also raise chickens – who will be generously donating the eggs for this yummy-looking recipe !

  71. Colleen Zaslow says:

    Just discovered your website and love it! Definitely want to try the lemon squares ASAP

    Thanks
    Colleen

  72. Remodeling my kitchen and working my garden. I need that blender to make those lucious looking lemon bars!!! I have some meyer lemons lurking in my kitchen right now 🙂

  73. Can’t wait to try this receipe

  74. Amy Niemi says:

    Hi Paula! I love your website. Thanks for giving me ideas for the blender. I got the blender I have 16 yrs ago for our wedding and I never think of using it for things other than smoothies or milkshakes. I’m anxious to try some of your ideas. ( the lemon squares look so yummy.) Do you buy organic ingredients?

    1. Amy, Was thinking and praying about your extended family this morning and it occurred to me that I never answered your question. No, I usually don’t buy organic, especially if it’s more expensive. Hope all is well at your house. love, paula

  75. Debbie Fites says:

    Have cook-outs and hang out with family in the yard or the driveway! Love to watch the kids play and enjoy some nice weather. Hope we get some nice weather before it gets too hot. I’m in Indiana!

  76. Camping, swimming, playing, running, soccer, scouts, birthdays, lots of family time. I can’t wait! And I have been CRAVING Lemon Bars this week. I almost broke down and bought one at a bakery yesterday, but didn’t want to be disappointed. This home-made version will be much better!

  77. Can’t wait to try the Lemon Squares !!! I plan on working in my Square Foot Garden this summer and enjoy family & friends. But mostly I will enjoy time spent with my hubby and son who will be graduating next year… I will soon be an empty nester…..

  78. I loved that you’ve tweaked the recipe to your own satisfaction. It is definitely a keeper and I really do love those lemons…they are delicious.

    Please enter my name to win one of those fabulous blenders. I’m a smoothie fanatic.

  79. Debbie Howard says:

    I have taste tested these most delicious bars and the taste takes you straight into thoughts of a happy sunshine summer day of bliss. Paula, thanks for sharing!!!

  80. Lynn Stateham says:

    I have been following your blog for about a year now and thoroughly enjoy it. My husband and I are retired and cruise half the year on our boat, Sunspot Baby, usually to the Bahamas and back over a period of about six months.

    I live in a 1600 sf house the rest of the time, having downsized from 4,300 ft. We jettisoned lots of “stuff” (including my bread machine) and still live a good life. We eat very well on the boat, including baking bread with a starter, and also use the dough for focaccia, pizza, pita, etc. I made my own yogurt years ago (without a machine), and intend to do so on our next cruise with some help from your expert advice.

    I do have a blender on board – a small plastic Black & Decker from my son’t college room 20+ years ago. It would be WONDERFUL to have a newer blender. Black please 🙂

    Thanks for this blog – My daughter is also a big fan.

    Lynn Stateham
    New Bern, NC – and Aboard Sailing Catamaran Sunspot Baby

  81. I’ve been craving a lemony dessert for days, and your photo just made me drool!
    For the past 4 years I’ve been living in two opposite countries in the globe. I’m in Korea right now, where summer is on its way, but my plans are to spend it in Brazil, where it will be winter, but I assure it’s very mild, there are beautiful sunny and warm days! Hopefully lots of long walks at the beach for the most fantastic sunsets!

  82. I plan to spend the summer watching little league baseball games and hanging at the neighborhood pool with my kids and their friends! If I had this blender I would be making lots of frozen strawberry drinks and frozen coconut drinks!

  83. I’m gonna move with my boyfriend to our first house on june! :)))

  84. Meyer lemons make all the difference, I think. Thanks to the link about posting “recipes.”

  85. hmmmmm…. This summer I have my wedding reception with my family and my externship to finish up Culinary School!

  86. My husband and I are both taking classes during the summer, but we get done in August and then we’re going to Denmark to visit my aunt and uncle. I’ve never left the country, so I’m super excited 🙂

  87. Wow! I love meyer lemons! This looks soooo good! Can’t wait to try it!

  88. I could use a new blender! We are going to North Carolina to visit with friends. We will relax, jet ski, fish, take boat rides and EAT!!! I might have to make the lemon squares! They sound yummy.

  89. I love Lemon Bars, but haven’t tried Meyer lemons. I see a Central Market trip in my near future.
    I plan to spend as much time as possible in the back yard with the vegetable garden, swimming pool, and hoping for a visit from the Denver grandbaby. Addison loves to get in the pool too.

  90. I am looking forward to gardening and yard work. Can’t wait to clean up from this nasty winter.

  91. I just found your site and there isn’t one recipe I don’t want to try! Thanks for all your great ideas.

  92. Mmmmm….lemon AND coconut in the base – can’t get any better! Lemon always brings fond memories of Nana and her Lemon Spongecake. We’re already in shorts…should be 86 tomorrow – yahoo! Looking forward to lots of gardening, BBQ’s, a nephews wedding in NY and side trips to…wherever!

  93. Highlights of my upcoming summer? Norris Lake & Schlitterbahn!! Cool giveaway! Might this inspire some smoothie recipes? 🙂

  94. redmenace says:

    First, I’d say the recipe is all yours. You tweaked it a million times. Second, it sounds delicious. I cannot get Meyer lemons around here and it’s such a bummer. They are simply the best. Third, I want that blender! Mine broke recently sending shards of glass everywhere. Yikes. xo

  95. These lemon bars look amazing and props for making a traditionally butter-filled dessert healthier!

    This summer, I’m looking forward to a post-college graduation trip with my friends. We haven’t quite worked out where we’re going yet, but it will definitely be somewhere where we can r-e-l-a-x after these 4 years of craziness 🙂

  96. I LOVE lemon bars – even though I am usually not much of a fan of lemon! This summer I have a wedding to go to, a family reunion, a trip to NYC… and the bar exam (boo!). So lots going on, hopefully all turns out great.

  97. These sound and look really delicious. This summer I’ll be putting on shorts (yay!) and doing some work to get the yard in better shape. After some hard work, I’ll be whipping up a batch of margaritas…either in my old blender or maybe a nice new upgraded one!

  98. I love lemon bars! This sounds like a great recipe. Too bad my blender broke (must have made too many margaritas last summer!) Maybe I will win a new one so I can try this recipe out! Thanks!!

  99. My hubby loves all things lemon, especially lemon bars. I’ll definetly have to give these a try! Our big excitement this summer with be moving from Indiana to Philadelphia – a new phase of life and an exciting adventure! Thanks for a wonderful giveaway 🙂

  100. Those lemon bars look yummy, I’m going to have to give them a try. This summer I am looking forward to spending lots of time with my daughter while she’s out of school.

  101. Starting my first real paying job. THanks.

  102. wow, that looks so delicious, and easy to make! Yum 🙂

  103. Stephanie says:

    Lovely lemon squares! Your post reminded me of something Jim Jarmusch, a filmmaker, said: “Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is non-existent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery — celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: ‘It’s not where you take things from — it’s where you take them to.'”

    Perfectly applicable to matters in the kitchen. 🙂
    Taking things somewhere is what I plan on doing all summer long!

    1. Thanks so much for sharing this quote. So true–and so appropriate for this post.

  104. I’m going to teach a summer class and hopefully go on a fun vacation!

  105. This summer I’m planning to spend a couple of months with two of my best friends in the state next door to mine! We all met online almost fifteen years ago and we’ve been best friends ever since. 🙂

  106. These look delicious! I love all of your recipes; a perfect balance of light and indulgent.

    This summer, I am going to Peru! I will be doing research on skeletal remains excavated in the Andes. I’m SO excited but I’m going to miss having a full kitchen at my disposal (well, a full kitchen except for a blender, since mine started smoking when I tried to use it a few weeks back).

    1. “a perfect balance of light and indulgent”—Love this description. What a nice compliment. I’m posting it on my refrigerator. Thanks Kirsten.

  107. What a delightful recipe. I cannot find Meyer lemons around here and in fact, have never tried one! Today I make two lemon cakes though! This would match my red mixer perfectly!

  108. I found your blog while looking for a greek yogurt recipe and have been exploring the rest of your recipes. These bars looks amazing!

  109. Heather Spooner says:

    I plan on doing alot of outdoor home improvements. Thank you for the giveaway and delicious lemon bar recipe.

  110. This summer mty baby will be 1! I have visions of going to the park and swinging and sliding down slides. But honestly, I have no idea what we will be doing. It’s that the way it goes with babies!

  111. This summer I’m moving to California! And into my first apartment! With my first kitchen!!! I would LOVE to have a blender for all the delicious California berries.

  112. I forgot to mention this summer we are attending out 2nd Colorado Camping rally! It will be so fun!!! I love road trips and camping!!!

  113. Oh my goodness these looks so good! Looking forward to trying out the recipe and thanks for the chance tow in blender! 😀

  114. These lemon bars look fantastic! I will have to try them soon. I’ve seen Meyer lemons at Wal-mart in the past month or two, so I’ll have to see if they still have them.

    I would like to go camping and backpacking more this summer. I want to try to explore some new places in NC. I’ll be doing my family medicine rotation during June & July, so I should have a good schedule. Can’t wait for summer…I’m ready to be done with the cold!

  115. I am expanding my vegetable garden this summer. I’ve ordered lots of seeds and I am ready for warmer weather to plant. Thanks for the great recipes, inspiration and giveaway.

  116. I can’t wait to be able to bike ride outside!!

  117. We’ll be finishing our church remodel and going to a camp in Montana this summer. Hopefully the weather will cooperate with these plans.

  118. Awesome giveaway! Brett and I were just talking about a new blender because we make smoothies a lot! The only thing we have planned for this summer is our river trip this August. Or, “float trip” according to Billy. If these are the same lemon bars you served a few weeks ago then they are to die for and I don’t even like lemon flavor that much! So glad you posted the recipe.

    1. Yes, Amanda. These are the same ones.

      1. see? B & A want some smoothie recipes too! ARe you inspired to post any? 🙂

  119. Krystal Ray says:

    I can’t wait to be in the garden and hopefully make some yummy salsa!

  120. Melinda George says:

    Thanks for the great lemon bar recipe…yum! I plan to perfect a blackberry lemonade recipe this summer, just waiting for August until those blackberries in my yard ripen.. Thanks for the contest!

  121. I’m taking my mother to Europe for her 60th birthday. She was there 30 years ago and has wanted to go back ever since. It should be a really fun mother-daughter trip!

  122. Jenn Haynes says:

    These look delicious & thanks for running such a great contest! I am looking forward to a summer full of gardening & laying in the hammock!

  123. I love lemon squares but have never made them. This summer I plan on expanding my garden to grow more organic vegetables, more work but more good safe food!

  124. I found your blog on Blog Catalog and I am so glad I did! I absolutely love your blog and will definitely be back for more. I am sorry about the loss of you father, by the way. Losing Dad, it is a terrible loss.

    This summer I am gardening all summer long, I can’t wait. I will be posting photos on my blog at http://www.adoctorandanurse.com as it starts to bloom.

    Thanks for this great blog, I am enjoying. Jana

  125. Lemon has never been my favorite dessert flavoring, but my mom loves it! Maybe I’ll make these for her when I visit this summer. 🙂

  126. I am taking my 5yr old daughter on her first plane trip. We are going to Colorado to visit all my frineds from the 7yrs I lived there. Can’t wait to see all of you and you too Colorado.

  127. Melissa Hayes says:

    Anything lemon is wonderful in my world! Can’t wait to try these.
    This summer I plan to camp at least once or twice with my husband and two sons. I grew up camping in the summer. My husband isn’t much of a camper but will give it a try. The family time around the fireplace, daily explorations through the woods and fishing is what we’re after!

  128. I’m dreaming about going up to our lake house in the summer! We’re in MI so it’s cold here too, but come 85 and sunny in the summer, we’re packing up and going north every weekend possible!

  129. Jackie E. says:

    I really really love lemon squares! Will try this very soon!

  130. I can’t wait to try these lemon bars. I think the addition of coconut to the crust is genius!

  131. I’ve been following silently for awhile now, but lemon bars are my favorite thing ever. They remind me of summer! Unfortunately, I don’t do well in the sun, so I don’t spend too much time out doors here in VA, but my boyfriend and I are planning to visit somewhere cool, (literally and conceptually) which will be my first time out of the state! I’m so excited. 🙂

  132. TheKitchenWitch says:

    I’ve made those coconut-lemon bars before from Bon Appetit–weren’t they amazing! Me love da lemon!

  133. You had me at Meyer Lemon Squares. I’m dreaming of summer here in Chicago where Spring has yet to arrive. But this summer we plan to explore our new city and go the the beach (even though I’m sure Lake Michigan will still be quite cold). I’m also planning to get in some good cuddle time with my new nephew who should arrive any day now.

  134. What a great prize and great recipe. I love iced coffees..sot his blender would be just great. I’m looking forward to planting flowers and a garden and watching it grow. I also enjoy watching and feeding the birds..

  135. Absolutely making these this weekend!!!! This summer some time will be spent in upstate New York on a lake. A whole week to totally relax.

  136. I developed my love of lemon bars from my mom – she’ll love this recipe! For fun this summer, I’ll be camping with the family in Missouri! Yea!

  137. Can’t wait to try this recipe. As excited as you are about the Meyer lemon, that’s how I feel about using some of my homemade Greek yogurt for this recipe. It sounds SO GOOD! I also like that the finished product is a creamy filling rather than a clear pie-like filling. I am not familiar with the Meyer lemon but am going into a larger city today for errands — will check at the grocery store there. Thanks!

    1. Found them! Now I am even more excited about this recipe! Making them tomorrow.

      This summer, I’ll be expanding the vegetable garden with Earthboxes. It will be a new experience. Also, will be getting around to yardwork and landscaping after renovating the inside of our home for . . . FOREVER! (Actually a little over a year, but it feels like forever.) Ready to get outside.

  138. Pam Clifford says:

    These sound yummy…but I’d need to win the blender, so please consider this my entry if you can.

    Hope to get lots of yard re-work done this summer. To be 79 here on Saturday, so we should get a start on it then! Yay, Spring!!!

  139. Jeanine - the Baking Beauties says:

    Oh, what a beauty! Both the bars and the blender. And, well, I really need a new blender for the iced coffees I’ll be making this summer (fingers are crossed!).
    We go camping in the summer, and can not wait to head out again. The beach, the hiking, the camp fires, it’s all fantastic family time.

  140. This is the first year of retirement and I plan to learn how to say no when my former employer calls me to come in and work extra,( if she can find me on the lake or in the garden). Carolyn

  141. Sondra Payne says:

    We love lemon bars!! This recipe sounds fabulous. I will give it a try.
    This summer we are going on a road trip. My loving husband, our three year old daughter, our 16 month old son, and myself are driving to North Dakota to see family. Thank God for the in car DVD player and of course all the Barney & Dora DVD’s we will have to bring to keep kids happy .