Cardamom-Kissed Lemon Sour Cream Bars
Indulge in the delightful flavors of my sister Jac's favorite Swedish Lemon Sour Cream Bars. Infused with the warm, aromatic spice of cardamom, these soft and tender squares have the perfect balance of zesty lemon and creamy sour cream. This dessert has become our go-to treat during family gatherings, and the heavenly scent fills the kitchen with nostalgia. While I've dialed down the cardamom for a milder flavor, the dish remains irresistibly fragrant. Feel free to amp it up according to your taste, just like Jac loves it! A light dusting of icing sugar on top makes them beautifully presentable. Perfectly sweet, subtly tangy, and incredibly moist, these bars make for a delightful end to any meal or a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
N/A
Servings
278
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Flour
1 2/3 cups (sifted)
Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Salt
1/8 teaspoon (none)
Cardamom, Fresh Ground
1/4 teaspoon (more if desired)
Butter, Softened
3/4 cup (none)
Sugar, White
1 1/4 cups (none)
Eggs, Large
3 (beaten)
Sour Cream
2/3 cup (none)
Lemon Juice, Fresh Squeezed
1/8 cup (none)
Lemon Rind
1/2 teaspoon (zested)
Icing Sugar
1/8 cup (for dusting)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Grease an 8-inch square cake pan and line it with parchment paper, allowing a bit of overhang for easy removal later.
3
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and ground cardamom. Set this dry mixture aside.
4
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter on medium speed until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the white sugar, beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
5
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure they are fully incorporated.
6
In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, fresh lemon juice, and lemon rind, mixing until smooth.
7
Gradually fold the dry mixture into the butter mixture, alternating with the sour cream mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined, being careful not to over-mix.
8
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
9
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and use a knife to gently loosen the edges. Allow it to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before lifting it out using the parchment overhang to a wire rack to cool completely.
10
Once completely cooled, cut into 9 squares and dust with icing sugar. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
17g
Fat
33g
Carbs
3g
Protein
20g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cardamom-Kissed Lemon Sour Cream Bars?
These are soft and tender dessert squares that balance the zesty flavor of lemon with creamy sour cream and the aromatic warmth of cardamom.
What is the inspiration for this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by the author's sister Jac's favorite Swedish Lemon Sour Cream Bars, adapted to be a go-to treat for family gatherings.
How much cardamom is used in this version?
This recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground cardamom for a milder flavor, though it can be increased for a more intense spice profile.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C) before baking the bars.
What type of baking pan is required?
An 8-inch square cake pan is required for this recipe.
How should I prepare the baking pan?
Grease the pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang to make removing the bars easier after baking.
What dry ingredients are needed?
You will need 1 2/3 cups of sifted flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of fresh ground cardamom.
How should the butter be prepared?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of butter that has been softened to room temperature.
How long should I beat the butter and sugar?
Beat the softened butter and 1 1/4 cups of white sugar for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
How do I incorporate the eggs?
Add the 3 large beaten eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
What makes up the sour cream mixture?
The mixture consists of 2/3 cup of sour cream, 1/8 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon of zested lemon rind.
What is the proper way to mix the batter?
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with the sour cream mixture, beginning and ending with the flour.
Should I be careful about over-mixing the batter?
Yes, you should mix until just combined to ensure the bars remain soft and tender.
How long do the lemon bars bake?
The bars should bake for approximately 45 minutes.
How can I tell when the bars are done?
They are ready when the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
How long should the bars cool in the pan?
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before lifting it out using the parchment paper overhang.
What is the final cooling step?
After the initial 10 minutes in the pan, transfer the cake to a wire rack to cool completely before cutting.
How many squares does this recipe make?
Once completely cooled, the cake should be cut into 9 squares.
What is the recommended garnish?
A light dusting of 1/8 cup of icing sugar on top of the finished squares is recommended for presentation.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains 278 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 17 grams of fat in each serving.
How many carbohydrates are in these bars?
One serving contains 33 grams of carbohydrates.
What is the sugar content of each bar?
Each bar contains 20 grams of sugar.
How much protein is in a serving?
There are 3 grams of protein per serving.
Is fresh lemon juice necessary?
Yes, the recipe specifies 1/8 cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.
What type of cardamom should I use?
Freshly ground cardamom is recommended to ensure the bars are irresistibly fragrant.
How would you describe the texture of these bars?
They are described as incredibly moist, soft, and tender squares.
Is this a family-friendly recipe?
Yes, it is noted as a family gathering favorite and a nostalgic treat.
Can the spice level be adjusted?
Absolutely; while the recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon for a milder flavor, you can amp it up based on your personal taste.
When is the best time to serve these bars?
They make for a delightful end to any meal or a perfect sweet afternoon pick-me-up.