Earl Grey Guava Lemon Bars (Printer-Friendly)

Floral Earl Grey meets tropical guava and zesty lemon in these elegant dessert bars. A sophisticated treat for any occasion.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crust

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
04 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 1 Earl Grey tea bag, contents only

→ Guava Layer

06 - 1 cup guava paste, cut into small cubes
07 - 2 tablespoons water

→ Lemon-Earl Grey Filling

08 - 4 large eggs
09 - 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
10 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
11 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
12 - 1 Earl Grey tea bag, contents only
13 - 2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
14 - Zest of 1 lemon
15 - Pinch of salt

→ Finishing

16 - Powdered sugar for dusting

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add flour, salt, and Earl Grey tea bag contents. Mix until crumbly dough forms.
03 - Press dough evenly into prepared pan bottom. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden at edges.
04 - While crust bakes, combine guava paste and water in small saucepan over low heat. Stir until paste melts into thick, spreadable consistency. Remove from heat.
05 - Immediately spread melted guava paste evenly over hot crust as soon as it exits the oven.
06 - In large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, Earl Grey tea bag contents, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt. Whisk until fully incorporated.
07 - Pour filling over guava layer and return pan to oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes until center is just set and does not jiggle when gently shaken.
08 - Remove from oven and cool completely in pan on wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
09 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 16 equal squares. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The subtle bergamot from Earl Grey weaves through every bite without overpowering the fresh lemon brightness.
  • Guava adds a creamy, tropical sweetness that feels indulgent but balanced, making these bars feel like a proper occasion dessert.
  • They look stunning with minimal effort, earning you compliments that make you seem like you spent all day in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients (especially eggs) whisk together without lumps and create a smoother, more delicate filling that tastes noticeably better than cold-ingredient versions.
  • The guava must be spread while the crust is hot, or it'll sit on top like a layer rather than bond slightly with the base, affecting the final texture.
  • Over-baking is the silent killer of these bars; aim for that gentle jiggle in the center, because they continue cooking as they cool.
03 -
  • Invest in a microplane zester for lemon zest; it captures those essential oils rather than bitter pith, transforming the brightness of the final bars.
  • If your oven runs hot, tent the pan loosely with foil during the filling bake to prevent the top from browning too quickly while the center sets.
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