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Four Citrus Poppy Seed Bars

Indulge in the bright, refreshing flavors of our Four Citrus Poppy Seed Bars, featuring a buttery, poppy seed-speckled crust topped with a luscious citrus filling. This delightful treat combines the tangy juices of lemon, orange, blood orange, and grapefruit, accented with a hint of lemon zest. Finished with an elegant arrangement of thinly sliced citrus fruits, these bars are as beautiful as they are delicious. Perfect for any occasion, these citrus bars bring a burst of sunshine to your dessert table.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine N/A
Servings 9 bars
Calories 195 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Crust:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Cirtus Filling:

  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 3 tbsp orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 3 tbsp blood orange juice freshly squeezed
  • 3 tbsp grapefruit juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

For Topping:

  • 2 orange slices thinly sliced
  • 4 lemon slices thinly sliced
  • 2 grapefruit slices thinly sliced and quartered
  • 4 blood orange slices thinly sliced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the softened 1 cup unsalted butter and 1/2 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
    1 cup unsalted butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • Add the 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp poppy seeds, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, mixing until well combined and a dough forms.
    2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp poppy seeds, 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  • Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 1/4 cup all-purpose flour until well combined.
    1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • Add the 4 large eggs, 2 tbsp lemon juice , 3 tbsp orange juice, 3 tbsp blood orange juice, 3 tbsp grapefruit juice, and 1 tablespoon lemon zest. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
    4 large eggs, 2 tbsp lemon juice , 3 tbsp orange juice, 3 tbsp blood orange juice, 3 tbsp grapefruit juice, 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • Pour the citrus filling over the slightly cooled crust.
  • Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the filling is set and no longer jiggles in the center.
  • Remove from the oven and let the citrus bars cool completely in the baking dish.
  • Thinly slice the 2 orange slices, 4 lemon slices, 2 grapefruit slices, and 4 blood orange slices. Arrange the slices decoratively on top of the cooled citrus bars.
    2 orange slices, 4 lemon slices, 2 grapefruit slices, 4 blood orange slices
  • Once the citrus bars are completely cooled and topped with the citrus slices, transfer to a cutting board and cut into squares or rectangles.
Keyword Bars, Cirtus, Grapefruit, Lemon, Lemon Bars, Orange, Summer Dessert