Lemon Bars

McCarthy's Note:

Taken from 'Baking and Desserts' cook book - Food Fact ; Baking powder is a chemically prepared raising agent consisting of cream of tartar and bicarbonate of soda, which is then mixed with a dried starch or flour. It is very important to measure accurately, otherwise the mixture could either not rise, or rise too quickly and then collapse and give a sour taste to the dish.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 0 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs

Ingredients:

Servings: 24

• 175 g flour
• 125 g butter
• 50 g sugar , granulated
• 200 g sugar , caster
• 2 tablespoons flour
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs , medium lightly beaten
• 1 lemon , juice and finely granted rind

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3 10 minutes before baking. Lightly oil and line a 20,5 cm square cake tin with greaseproof or baking paper.
2. Rub together 175 g flour and butter until the mixture resembled breadcrumbs. Stir in the granulated sugar and mix.
3. Turn the mixture into the prepared tin and press down firmly. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until pale golden.
4. Meanwhile in a food processor, mix together the caster sugar 2 tbsp flour, baking powder, salt, eggs, lemon juice and rind until smooth. Pour over the prepared base.
5. Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for a further 20-25 minutes until nearly set but still a bit wobbly in the centre. Remove from the oven and cool in the tin on a wire rack.
6. Dust with icing sugar and cut into squares. Serve cold or store in an airtight tin.