I have always found these Walnut Lemon Bars quite elegant and with a delicate flavor combination. Pairing chocolate with lemon and walnuts is by far one of the best combinations.
These bars are made with a dense walnut layer at the bottom followed by a lemony creamy layer in the middle and topped with chocolate ganache.
These walnut lemon bars remind me a lot of childhood as we used to make this recipe almost every year for Easter or Christmas. I wanted to share it with you too as Easter is approaching and I find this recipe quite refreshing and perfect for welcoming spring.
How to make Walnut Lemon Bars
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch (20x20cm) square pan and line it with parchment paper, ensuring that some edges overhang to facilitate lifting once the cake is set.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until creamy. Add the walnuts, lemon zest, and flour, and mix until well combined.
Next, separate the egg yolks from the egg whites. Whip the egg whites with salt until foamy, then gradually add 2 tablespoons of sugar and continue whipping until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the walnut mixture.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.
How to prepare the lemon egg yolk layer
While the walnut base is baking, mix the egg yolks with sugar and lemon zest until thick, creamy, and pale yellow.
After the initial baking time, remove the walnut cake from the oven and carefully spread the yolk lemon mixture on top of the cake. Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until the top is set and lightly golden. Allow the cake to cool completely.
How to prepare the chocolate ganache
To prepare the chocolate ganache, heat the cream in a small saucepan. Once the cream begins to boil at the edges, remove it from the heat and pour it over the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for a minute, then stir until smooth.
Spread the chocolate ganache evenly over the cooled cake. Allow it to set before serving.
Hope you will try these Walnut Lemon Bars as they are sure to be a hit! If you do make sure to share the photos with me on Instagram. Would love to see how they turn for you. Enjoy!
For more similar recipes check our full collection of Brownies and Bars.
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Lemon Bars
Walnut Lemon Bars
Ingredients
Walnut Layer
- 1/2 cup (113g) butter , room temperature
- 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
- 1/3 cup + 1tbsp (50g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (75g) ground walnuts
- 1/2 tsp (2g) salt
- 2 tbsp (30g) sugar
- 3 egg whites
- zest of a lemon
Lemon Layer
- 3 egg yolks
- zest of a lemon
- 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar
Chocolate Ganache
- 4 oz (120g) semisweet chocolate , chopped
- 1/2 cup (120g) whipping cream
Instructions
Prepare the walnut cake.
- Preheat the oven to 350F (180C). Slightly grease a 8×8 inch (20x20cm) square pan and line with parchment paper, in such a way that some edges overhang to make it easy to lift it up once it's set.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until creamy. Add walnuts, lemon zest and flour and mix well.
- Separate egg yolks from egg whites. Whip egg whites with salt until foamy. Gradually add 2 tbsp of sugar and whip until stiff peaks. Fold in egg whites into walnut mixture.
- Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes.
Prepare the lemon layer.
- Meanwhile mix egg yolks with sugar and lemon zest until thick, creamy and pale yellow colored.
- Remove the walnut base from the oven and add yolks mixture on top of the cake and bake for another 10-15 minutes. Let it cool.
Prepare the chocolate ganache.
- Heat the cream in a small saucepan. When the cream just begins to boil at the edges, remove from heat and pour over the chopped chocolate. Let sit one minute, then stir until smooth.
- Spread the chocolate ganache on top of the cake. Let it set before serving.
Video
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @homecookingadventure on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookingadventure.
This looks amazing! I will definately give it a try!
I hope I will manage as I am not a great cook!
I tried it yesterday it tastes incredible! only one problem
the chocolate ganache hasn’t set well, what should I add
or reduce next time I prepare the chocolate ganache?
Hi Lena.
When you put the chocolate ganache make sure is not to hot or it will not set well.
I just discovered that the fruit surrounding the walnut has a very strong lemon odour! (which was how I found this site – googling walnut+lemon)
So not an illogical taste combination at all!
Hello, I want to make that… it’s really very tempting.
Can I make 2 days earlier? Do I need to put in the freeze?
Thanks a lot