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Home › Recipes › Desserts
9 Comments

Lemon Basil Squares: A New Southern Twist on an Old Favorite

Stacey Pirtle

by Stacey Updated: Feb 9, 2023

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Normally, I wait for warmer temps to eat lemon squares.  Waiting just seems like the right thing to do.  But truth be told, I am just crazy about all things lemon.  And on this particularly dreary Monday, something bright and sunny is just what what I need.  So to the kitchen, ladies!  We’ve got some lemon basil squares to bake!

I guess I have my mom to thank for introducing me to the wonders of tart and tangy lemon desserts when I was younger.  They were hands down her favorite.  And in a house full of chocolate loving boys, I secretly enjoyed sharing with her something that just ‘us girls’ liked best.  Like a secret handshake topped with a nod and a wink, ‘us girls’ would make sure lemon squares found their way onto almost every holiday dessert list and ultimately onto our plates and into our bellies. It was lemon heaven.

Now, I get to share lemon desserts with my own daughter.  She loves this updated version of the classic creamy lemon square recipe handed down from my mom and grandmother that incorporates just a hint of basil.  After all, lemon and basil are a perfect pairing, right?

And just like with any perfect pair, secret handshakes, winks, and nods are included.


Lemon Basil Squares

Ingredients:

Crust

  • 1 ¼ C flour
  • ¼ C sugar
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 1 ½ sticks butter
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Filling

  • ¼ C flour
  • ¾ sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • â…“ C lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoon finely chopped basil
  • confectioner’s sugar, lemon zest, and extra basil leaves to garnish

Process:

Preheat over to 350 degrees F.

Crust

Butter the bottom and sides of 9×9 baking pan.

In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt, butter, and lemon zest.  Pulse or mix until the mixture is crumbly and resembles wet sand.

Put the mixture in the 9×9 pan and press it evenly around the pan to create a crust.

Bake for 18-20 minutes until it is golden brown and firm.

Filling

While the crust is baking, whisk together in a medium bowl the flour, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and basil.  Make sure you whisk constantly while adding the lemon juice.  Its acid will “cook” the eggs if you are not careful.

Pour over the baked crust.  Use a fork to make sure the basil is evenly distributed over the crust.

Bake again for another 20-30 minutes until the filling is set.

Filling will continue to set as the dessert cools to room temperature.  Sometimes, I even refrigerate it for an hour or two just to make sure it is nice and firm before I cut into it.

Dust generously with confectioner’s sugar and cut dessert into squares.

Garnish with lemon zest and basil leaves to make your squares oh, so pretty!

***Pin this Lemon Basil Squares recipe here!***

Lemon Basil Squares- an updated version of the classic creamy lemon square recipe that incorporates just a hint of basil.

 

Lemon Basil Squares

A fresh take on a traditional favorite, lemon basil squares have that tart sweetness you crave from your grandmother's lemon squares plus a bright hint of basil that just sings spring!
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
Total Time: 1 hour hour
Author: Stacey | SouthernDiscourse.com

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 ¼ C flour
  • ¼ C sugar
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 1 ½ sticks butter
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Filling

  • ¼ C flour
  • ¾ sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • â…“ C lemon juice
  • 2-3 tablespoon finely chopped basil
  • confectioner's sugar lemon zest, and extra basil leaves to top

Instructions

  • Preheat over to 350 degrees F.

Crust

  • Butter the bottom and sides of 9x9 baking pan.
  • In a food processor, combine flour, sugar, salt, butter, and lemon zest. Pulse or mix until the mixture is crumbly and resembles wet sand.
  • Put the mixture in the 9x9 pan and press it evenly around the pan to create a crust.
  • Bake for 18-20 minutes until it is golden brown and firm.

Filling

  • While the crust is baking, whisk together in a medium bowl the flour, sugar, eggs, lemon juice, and basil.
  • Pour over the baked crust. Use a fork to make sure the basil is evenly distributed over the crust.
  • Bake again for another 20-30 minutes until the filling is just set.
  • Filling will continue to set as the dessert cools to room temperature.
  • Dust generously with confectioner's sugar and cut dessert into squares.
  • Garnish with lemon zest and basil leaves, if desired.

Notes

Make sure you whisk constantly while adding the lemon juice. Its acid will "cook" the eggs if you are not careful.
Did you make my Lemon Basil Squares?Show me how it went! Share on Instagram, tag @southerndiscourse, and use the hashtag #SouthernDiscourse!
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Want more fruit recipes?  Try out these top 5 ASD favorites!

  • French Toasted Blackberry Breakfast Grilled Cheese
  • Strawberry Cream Cheese Sandwiches
  • Pecan-Stuffed Grilled Peaches
  • Mamaw’s Fresh Apple Cake
  • Old Fashioned Coconut Ice Box Cake

Check out these lemon squares and other great recipes on Full Plate Thursday, Weekend Potluck, Foodie Friday and Meal Plan Monday!

 

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Filed Under: Desserts, Recipes Tagged With: Easter

Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Julie @ Back To My Southern Roots

    March 24, 2018 at 10:02 am

    I love lemon squares! I never thought about putting basil in them. They look delicious!

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      March 24, 2018 at 11:08 am

      Thanks, Julie! I love lemon and just a touch of basil, but not too much!

      Reply
  2. Miz Helen

    March 24, 2018 at 1:05 pm

    What a lovely presentation for your delicious Lemon Basil Squares! Hope you are having a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing your great post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
    Miz Helen

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      March 29, 2018 at 9:55 am

      Thanks, Miz Helen! I love just love lemon squares, don’t you? And that little hint of basil makes them all the more bright and fresh!

      Reply
  3. Susan Richmond

    May 22, 2023 at 10:21 am

    How do you think this recipe would work in a cupcake pan-with liners of course?

    Reply
    • Stacey Pirtlestacey

      May 23, 2023 at 11:12 am

      Hi, Susan! I have never tried that, but I think it sounds like a great idea!

      Reply
  4. Samirah

    July 12, 2023 at 7:36 am

    Hi Stacey, I’m hosting a dinner party next month and hoping to make this using the fresh basil I’ve grown. I was wondering if it’s possible to make the crust or filling in advance? Or to make the entire dish in advance and just chill it in the fridge overnight? Thanks! Samirah

    Reply
    • Stacey PirtleStacey

      July 20, 2023 at 10:32 pm

      Hi, Samirah! I love that you are having a dinner party and making these lemon bars with basil you’ve grown! What a wonderful gift for your guests. Yes, you can definitely bake the crust the day before, cover and store on the counter. Then make the filling and bake to completion the next day. I know your party will be a hit. Happy hostessing!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Collection of BEST Easter Recipes - Julias Simply Southern says:
    March 28, 2018 at 6:27 pm

    […] A Southern Discourse: Lemon Basil Squares […]

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Meet Stacey

Southern Discourse is a place where you can find southern family dishes, along with special recipes & table settings. Bringing connection & friendship back to the table by wrapping everything in the faith & grace from which true hospitality springs! Read More

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