Description
Lemon Meringue Crazy Bars are a delightful dessert combining the tangy flavor of lemon curd with a creamy filling and a toasted meringue topping, all layered between crispy puff pastry.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for dusting)
- 2 tbsp crushed graham crackers (optional, for crunch)
- 3/4 cup lemon curd (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for cream cheese layer)
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 3 egg whites
- 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar (for meringue)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (for meringue)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Roll out puff pastry and cut into squares. Dock lightly with a fork, sprinkle with sugar and optional graham cracker crumbs. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until puffed and golden. Let cool completely.
- In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add heavy cream and beat until light and fluffy.
- Spread lemon curd and lemon zest on one piece of puff pastry. Add a layer of cream cheese mixture. Top with another pastry square to form a sandwich. Chill assembled bars for 30 minutes.
- Beat egg whites with cream of tartar until frothy. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. Add vanilla extract and mix briefly.
- Pipe or spoon meringue onto the top of each bar. Use a kitchen torch to toast the meringue until golden brown. Serve chilled or slightly warmed.
Notes
- Ensure that the puff pastry is fully thawed before use for best results.
- Chilling the assembled bars helps to set the layers firmly before adding the meringue.
- The meringue can be toasted using a broiler if a kitchen torch is not available.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 50mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg