Like lemon squares but better! The custard has the texture of mango pudding and the passion fruit flavor is incredible. These bars are really rich but worth it for a special occasion!
For a 9″ pan of passion fruit squares (serves 32) you’ll need:
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 12 tablespoons butter
- 7 egg yolks
- 2 eggs
- 2/3 cup passion fruit puree (unsweetened) – I purchase mine frozen from a Mexican grocery store
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream.
- salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line a 9″ baking pan with a large piece of greased parchment paper. Leave at least 2″ of paper running up the edges of the pan.
In a food processor, combine the flour, powdered sugar and a pinch of salt. Cut 8 tablespoons of the butter into pieces and add the flour mixture. Pulse the mixture until it just starts to look like damp sand.
Spread the crust mixture into the bottom of the baking pan and press it down with the back of a large spoon or the bottom of a glass. Bake for 10 minutes until the crust just starts to brown.
While the crust is baking, combine the eggs, egg yolks, sugar, passion fruit puree, 4 tablespoons butter and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture reaches 170 degrees. Remove from the heat and stir in the cream.
As soon as the crust is removed from the oven, pour the filling mixture through a strainer onto the crust. Spread the filling evenly over the crust.
Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan half way through baking. The filling should jiggle just slightly when shook.
Let the pan cool completely on a cooling rack then chill the pan in the refrigerator for at least an hour.
Lift the bars from the pan using the edges of the parchment paper. Cut the passion fruit squares into small rectangles – I cut the bars into 4 long pieces in one direction then cut 8 small pieces from each large piece. Sprinkle with powdered sugar just before serving.
These bars will keep in the refrigerator for a few days.
This recipe is based on an amazing recipe for lemon squares from Cook’s Illustrated. I made a few simplifying changes and adjusted for the passion fruit.
Enjoy!
