Zingy and Zesty Dragon Fruit Lemon Bars

We love an Instagram feed full of color, and Karlee Sisler Flores @oliveandartisan is absolutely no exception. What’s more, she’s also created a beautiful (in looks and taste) bake using our Dragon Fruit Powder. Also known as Pink Pitaya Flower, the lemony bars feature all the color and panache of dragon fruit.

Dragon fruit is packed with beneficial vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and a flavor that’s like the romantic marriage of kiwi and pear. Whoever said that baked goods can’t be good for you as well as indulgent?!

Karlee created this simple bake using freshly squeezed lemons and lemon zest, with a touch of sweet vanilla to cut through the zestiness. We absolutely adore them, and we know you will too.

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A post shared by Nature Restore 🌱 Superfoods (@nature.restore)

Ingredients

Crust

1 cup room temperature butter

Pinch salt

1 tsp vanilla bean paste

¼ cup sugar

2 cups all purpose flour

Filling

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tbsp lemon zest

¼ cup Nature Restore Dragon Fruit Powder (Pink Pitaya Powder)

3 cups sugar

1 cup flour

6 large, room temperature eggs

Handful poppy seeds

Powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Crust

In a standing mixer with a paddle attachment combine the butter, salt, vanilla bean paste and sugar until the mixture starts to turn pale.
Add the flour one cup at a time and continue to mix on low until the mixture starts to combine.
Turn off the mixer and using a silicone spatula, fold the dough together until it forms a dough ball.
Place the dough on a 9″ x 13″ cookie sheet (at least 1 and 1/2 inches deep) or casserole dish and press it out until it covers the entire sheet.
Bake for 18 minutes.
Take out the crust but leave the oven on.

Filling

Whisk the dragon fruit powder and sugar together.

Add the flour and continue to whisk.

In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth.

Add the sugar mixture, lemon juice, lemon zest and poppy seeds to the egg mixture and mix until well combined, which will take around a minute.

Pour the mixture onto the crust and bake for another 30-35 minutes.

Remove from the oven, the bars should look set and firm.

Allow to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Refrigerate for one to two hours.

Dust with powdered sugar.

Cut into squares and enjoy!

Makes: 18

Prep time: 30 minutes

Total time: 3 hours

These amazing bars can be enjoyed as a treat, as dessert or on a picnic – and if you’re planning an afternoon tea for someone special, you simply have to include these delights. However you choose to serve them, make sure you tag us @nature.restore and Karlee @oliveandartisan so that we can see!