Lemon Bars

 

The recipe: Lemon Bars

From: http://blissfulb.blogspot.com/

For the crust:

1/2 pound unsalted butter (at room temperature)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups flour

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

lemon layer:

6 extra-large eggs (at room temperature)

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4-6 lemons)

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 cup flour

Confectioners' sugar, for dusting.

Pre-heat oven to 350°F and liberally butter a 9x13 by 2 inch baking sheet.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Gather mixture and form a ball. Flatten dough and press into buttered pan with floured hands, building up a 1/2 edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15-20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the lemon layer, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30-35 minutes, or about five minutes beyond the point where the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.

Notes: Don't be alarmed when you pour the lemon mixture into the crust if it happens to over-flow. Its ok, pour it all in there! I prefer to eat these bars served cold --straight from the refrigerator.

Parley

This was a request from one of the guys at work (one who obviously likes to eat) :).  He commented on the "lemony goodness" while enjoying a bar.  I think they turned out to have the ideal balance of tart and sweet, with a good crust (subtle, but firm).  They smelled like heaven while they were baking, and even though they're lemon bars, they reminded me more of deep green of lemon leaves, just in aura, not literal color.  This green is my favorite color, which might be why I already had two lemon bars.  (Don't fret fitness f(r)iends- I went running this morning and intend to work out later.)