Arizona Lemon Bars

2Bleu's Note:

These little treats we created are definitely for Lemon Lovers! This is easy to make and can be put together in a pinch. Great for pot lucks, reunions, weddings, cookouts, or luncheons. Serve as is or with lemon sherbert garnished with whipped cream and a mint leaf. NOTE: Due to previous reviews, on 8/18/08 we edited the ingredient amounts. We have tested these new amounts and hope you will find it to work out as great as we do. :)

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 12

• 1 cup butter , softened (2 sticks)
• 2⁄3; cup sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups oats
• ¼ cup almonds , chopped fine (optional)
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Cream butter and sugar. Add flour, oats, and optional almonds mixing well.
2. Place 1/2 of mix into a 7x11 pan that has been lightly buttered or sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Lightly press mixture into pan.
3. Whisk together condensed milk, lemon juice, and optional zest. Spread over top of mix that is in the pan.
4. Sprinkle remaining dry mix over that. Again, lightly pressing mixture into pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
5. Cool 1 hour then cut into small squares (about 1 1/2"). Refrigerate or serve warm.

Reviews

[Tina and Dave]

These were yummy! Like soft, creamy, lemony flapjacks! A great success - thank you!

[BakeGirl23]

Not that these weren't good, I just didn't realize that they would be so oat-y. We really didn't like all the oatmeal, but the lemon center was delicious. Next time I will omit the oatmeal and use more flour.

[CoffeeB]

What a fabulous lemony taste. I have made lemon bars many many times as this is something we sell as a regular menu item at the coffee shop I work for. This recipe cried out for me for me to try as it is made entirely different than the one I was use to. First of all I"ve never used sweetened condensed milk in lemon bars and secondly oats are not something I've included. Both were a lovely addition with just the right amount of sweet/tart. I followed your recipe as stated with the elimination of almonds. I did put a few x-tra squirts of lemon juice and also zested one lemon. Great lemon taste. DH had his w/a scoop (well, a few scoops) of vanilla ice cream while still just a touch warm. mmmmm~ Glad I tagged for PRMR.~