RECIPE: Lemon Deluxe Bars

I've been making these lemon bars since my mom taught me about them quite the long time ago... she learned this recipe in her home economics class back in the day.

Since then I've made lemon bars for friends, for co-workers, for complete strangers... they've been served up at house warming parties, baby showers, retirements parties, wedding receptions, church potlucks...

Well, the list could go on...



And I don't like to brag.... but because many have asked, here it is...

It's a two step process. We prepare/bake the crust first. And then move on to the lemon layer.

So, first we measure out the flour...

Dump the appropriate amount into a large bowl and measure out the confectioner's sugar... and mix well with a fork. (The instructions say to sift these together - I don't like sifters. I'm kind of a rebel that way.)







Next we add a couple sticks of butter to the party. This is room temperatue. Personally, I like to cut them into smaller sizes... it just works better that way when you add them to the dry mix.







One stick at a time... and mash the butter together w/ the dry mix using the back of your fork. It'll still be rather dry... so don't worry about it too much. And just add that other stick of butter.



Mash and repeat...



If it still looks rather dry, you may need to jump in and get a little dirty.



The warmth from your hands will melt the butter a bit more and bring it all together. Mix the dry ingredients and butter until it starts to clump up in your hands. Once it is of the consistently that you can press it into a casserole pan... well, that's what you want to do.



So find that casserole pan, dump in the dough and and start pressing.



I use my fingertips at first...



But it still looks rather lumpy...







So then I use the back of a large spoon to convince it to "STAY!"

At this point, the casserole goes into the oven for 20-25 minutes. Or just until the edges of the dough start to brown a bit. You don't want it too dark... just a bit.


Then I walk away from the kitchen and do something else. And it's the smell of the dough cooking that lures me back in to check on it... you know the smell of hot butter, right?! Wow...


About 10 min before that layer is done... I work on the wet mix for the lemon layer.





What am I doing? Well, I'm beating eggs, of course...


(Pardon me - I'm laughing to myself at the moment. When I was in high school there was this christian drama team that performed at church summer camps and youth events. And a quick search of Google tells me they are still around... they are called the Delivery Boys. And back in my day they had this routine called "Beating Eggs". I couldn't do it justice trying to explain it here... you just have to see it in person. And you would know why tears roll down your face when they did the routine... yes, it was just that good!)

Anyhow, back to my kitchen...

Add the sugar... and the lemon juice...





And keep beating those eggs...







After adding a little more flour and some baking powder... mix well... and we're almost done...




First we have some little lumps to get rid of (if only I had used the sifter ... next time!)



I mash the little flour bubbles up against the side of the bowl, whisk it into submission some more... and ...

THAT looks just about good enough...





Right about the time I'm finished with the lemon layer, the timer goes off for the crust layer. And here it is...




Pour the lemon layer of the crust and put it all back in the oven...



Approximately 20-25 minutes later this is what you have...



Get out the confectioner's sugar again and get to shakin'...



Add as much or as little as you want on top ... but the key is to sprinkle on the confectioner's sugar while it's still hot.



Isn't she pretty?!



Allow to cool for a few hours before you cut into it... but once you do, make sure to dish yourself up at least two pieces...



Now, enjoy one small bite at a time...



Shhh... do not disturb...



Just one more bite...



Well, they ARE small bites...



Is YOUR mouth watering yet?!






Oh!!! Wait a minute! Who ate all my lemon bars?!




Lemon Deluxe Bars

Ingredients

Crust:
2 C sifted flour
1/2 C sifted powdered sugar
1 C butter (2 cubes), softened

Lemon layer:
4 beaten eggs
2 C granulated sugar
1/2 C lemon juice (from jar)
1/4 C sifted flour (for second half of recipe)
1/2 tsp baking powder

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Sift together he 2 C flour and the 1/2 C powdered sugar
3. Cut in the butter until mixture clings together
4. Press into greased 9’ x 13’ pan w/ back of spoon
5. Bake for 20-25 min, or until lightly browned
6. Beat together eggs, sugar and lemon juice
7. Sift the 1/4 C flour and baking powder; stir into egg mixture
8. Pour over baked crust and bake 25 minutes longer
9. Sprinkle with desired amount of additional powdered sugar
10. Allow to cool for several hours before cutting/serving

enjoy your time in the kitchen...