Adopted from Julia Reed’s Southern Cookbook, these delectable little bars are a perfect picnic versions of the traditional custard pie. Unlike lemon bars with their iconic lip-puckering citrus, these instead have a blanket of egg-rich custard, laced liberally with vanilla, on top of a delicious crumbly, lightly salted shortbread crust.

If buttermilk is unavailable, you can create a substitute by combining a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar with a cup of milk. Allow to stand for 5 min, then measure out ¾ cup.

Ingredients

For the shortbread crust:

• 2 cups/240 grams flour (all-purpose)
• ½ cup/57 grams confectioners’ sugar
• ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 ounces/170 grams (1 1/2 sticks)butter, unsalted & softened

For the filling:

• 6 ounces/170 grams butter (1 1/2 sticks), unsalted (at room temperature)
• 1 ½ cups/297 grams sugar (granulated)
• 6 large egg yolks
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• ¾ cup/168 milliliters buttermilk (at room temperature)
• 2 tablespoons fine white or yellow cornmeal
• 2  tablespoons flour (all-purpose)

Nutritional Information

Nutritional analysis per serving (24 servings):
217 calories; 12 grams fat; 2 grams protein; 7 grams saturated fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 24 grams carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 15 grams sugars; 76 milligrams cholesterol; 77 milligrams sodium.

Note:
The information shown is only an estimate based on the available ingredients and specified preparation. This should not take the place of a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Preparation

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Making the crust: Whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in the butter using a pastry blender or a couple of forks until well blended – the dough will hold together when a lump is pressed in your hand.
3. Into a 9 by 13 inch baking dish, evenly press the dough along the bottom. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the edges have browned. Take shortbread out of the oven and allow to slightly cool. Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees.
4. Making the filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, cream the butter & sugar until fluffy & light, approx. 5 minutes. One at a time, beat the egg yolks until blended well. Move to a whisk attachment, and slowly beat in the buttermilk & vanilla until also well blended. Beat the flour and cornmeal until just combined.
5. Pour the filling over the crust. Bake for 25-30 min, until the top is set and golden. Place the baking dish on a wire rack and allow to cool, before cutting the desert into 24 squares (roughly 2 inches) and serve.