Lemon Ricotta Mille-Feuille Crumble Bars
Ingredients
Pastry Crust
- 1 cup (200g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
Lemon Filling
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup (120g) granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
Ricotta Filling
- 8 ounces (225g) ricotta cheese
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1/2 cup (120g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup (200g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup (100g) confectioners' sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
Instructions
Make the Pastry Crust
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, confectioners' sugar, and salt.
- Add the softened butter and mix until a dough forms.
- Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Make the Lemon Filling
- In a medium saucepan, combine egg yolks, granulated sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, and salt.
- Whisk until smooth, then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
- Remove from heat and stir in softened butter until fully incorporated.
Make the Ricotta Filling
- In a small bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese, egg yolk, granulated sugar, and lemon zest.
Assemble the Crumble Bars
- Roll out the chilled pastry dough to a thickness of about 1/4 inch (6mm).
- Transfer the dough to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Spread the lemon filling evenly over the dough, leaving a 1-inch (2.5cm) border around the edges.
- Dollop spoonfuls of ricotta filling on top of the lemon filling.
- Roll out the crumble topping ingredients into small crumbs and sprinkle evenly over the ricotta filling.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.
Notes
- The pastry crust should be baked separately before assembling the bars to ensure a crispy crust.
- You can adjust the amount of lemon filling and ricotta filling to your liking.
- These crumble bars are best served fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.