Earl Grey Guava Lemon Bars (Print Version)

Floral Earl Grey paired with tropical guava and bright lemon create these elegant dessert bars.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crust

01 - 1 cup (2 sticks) 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

# Cooking Steps:

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 contents. Mix until a crumbly dough forms.
03 - Press dough evenly into bottom of prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly golden around edges.
04 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine guava paste and water. Stir until paste melts into thick, spreadable consistency. Remove from heat.
05 - Spread melted guava paste evenly over hot crust immediately after removing from oven.
06 - In a large bowl, whisk eggs and sugar until smooth. Add flour, baking powder, Earl Grey tea 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 shaken gently.
08 - Remove from oven and cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set.
09 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares. Dust with powdered sugar just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The floral notes of Earl Grey tea pair beautifully with the tropical sweetness of guava and the bright citrus of lemon
  • Three distinct layers create a complex flavor profile in every bite
  • These bars are perfect for elegant tea parties or sophisticated dessert tables
  • They can be prepared ahead of time, making them ideal for entertaining
02 -
  • For the most visually striking bars, make sure the guava layer completely covers the crust before adding the lemon filling
  • Using loose leaf Earl Grey tea instead of tea bags will provide a more pronounced flavor
  • These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months - just thaw in the refrigerator overnight and dust with fresh powdered sugar before serving
  • For a more intense lemon flavor, add an additional tablespoon of zest to the filling
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