Lemon Squares

Thursday, July 29, 2010


Makes:twenty 2 by 2½-inch bars

Ingredients
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup confectioners’ sugar, plus additional for garnish
½ pound (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into chunks

Lemon Filling
5 large eggs
1¾ cups sugar
¾ cup fresh lemon juice
¹⁄3 cup cake flour
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt

Preparation
Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with foil and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

To make the crust: In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, mix the flour and sugar. With the motor running, add the chunks of butter and process just until a dough forms. Remove the dough from the bowl (it will be crumbly) and press into an even layer into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and let cool to room temperature.

To make the filling: While the crust is baking, cream together the eggs, sugar, and lemon juice with an electric mixer. Add the flour, zest, baking powder, and salt and mix until smooth. Pour over the baked crust, return to the oven, and bake until the custard is firm and thick, 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle with additional confectioners’ sugar. Let cool on a rack completely, at least 2 to 3 hours, before cutting (4 x 5) into twenty 2 by 2½-inch bars. Or, make this a day or so in advance and refrigerate it uncut, without extra confectioners’ sugar on top. It cuts easier when cold. Finish with confectioners’ sugar after cutting. These freeze well for up to 1 month.

{recipe and image via the nest}

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