Lovely Lemon Bar Cookies

Submitted by QueenBee49444

"While on vacation this summer I enjoyed the book "Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder" by Joanne Fluke. Not only was the plot a fun read but the author interspersed some good recipes throughout the book. This is one of the recipes. I want to forward the book to my Zaar Used Media Swap partner today and I am posting the recipe here so I can try it later. The author did not indicate the serving size, prep time, etc. so I am guessing. I will update after I make the recipe. Prep time does not include cooling time."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 15mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Yields: 12 bars
• Serves: 12

ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup butter, cold
• 1⁄2 cup powdered sugar
• 4 eggs, beaten (just whip them with a fork)
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1⁄2 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 tablespoons flour

directions

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees, rack in middle position.
2. Grease a 9 x 13 pan.
3. Cut each stick of butter into eight pieces.
4. Zoop it up with the flour and powdered sugar in a food processor until it looks like coarse cornmeal (just like the first step in making a piecrust).
5. Spread it out in a greased 9 x 13 pan and pat it down with your hands.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden around the edges.
7. Remove from oven - but don't turn the oven off!
8. Mix eggs with white sugar.
9. Add lemon juice & zest if you want to use it.
10. Add salt and baking powder and mix.
11. Add flour and mix thoroughly. (This will be runny - it's supposed to be.).
12. Pour this mixture on top of the pan you just baked.
13. Stick it back into the oven.
14. Bake at 350 degrees for another 30-35 minutes.
15. Remove from oven and sprinkle on additional powdered sugar.
16. Let cool thoroughly and cut into brownie-sized bars.

Reviews

[C Harris]

I have made Lemon Bars for years, and this is closest to my old recipe. Thanks for adding it QueenBee49444. The only changes I made were to add the zest of one lemon and 1 teaspoon of Lemon extract to the lemon mixture. Wonderful recipe! Thanks again!!!

 

[paulclynnc]

This didn't have as much lemon flavor as I would have liked. I think if I try it again, I will cut down on the sugar in the lemon layer and increase the lemon juice.

 

[Sweetiebarbara]

I made these over Christmas... and will add them to my Christmas goodies to make. I have put them in my Book #232436 cookbook, so they will certainly be made many more times. Thanks Queen Bee!!!

 

[EnglishRose]

Very nice, though the lemon flavour wasn't as strong as I expected despite adding lots of lemon zest. It's a soft base, not a crunchy biscuit like other shortbread type bases, with the top being quite cake like. A very pleasant and subtle bar though.

 

[waynejohn1234]

These bars are wonderful and I have been making them for years. When I volunteer to bring a dessert these are most frequently requested. To add insult to injury!!! I top them with cream cheese icing flavored with lemon juice and zest .... yum.....