Birchwood Inn

The Ultimate Lemon Squares: Dessert

Servings: 12

Prep time:1 hour

Ingredients:

• 

  1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 

  2/3 cup powdered sugar

• 

  2 cups all-purpose flour

• 

• 

  2 cups sugar

• 

  4 large eggs

• 

  7 tablespoons fresh lemon juice with pulp

• 

  1/4 cup lemon zest

• 

  1 teaspoon baking powder

• 

  1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Step 1:

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease the bottom of a 9X13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Step 2:

Crust: Using an electric mixer, beat butter in a large bowl until fluffy. Beat in 2/3 cup powdered sugar. Add 2 cups flour, 1 cups at a time. Using the back of a fork, press the dough into the baking pan. Bake crust until lightly golden, about 20-25 minutes.

Step 3:

Filling: While the crust is baking, beat 2 cups sugar and the eggs in a medium bowl until blended. Beat in fresh lemon, lemon zest, and baking powder. Then add the 1/4 cup flour.

Step 4:

Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust. Bake until the filling is set in center and begins to brown on the top, about 20-25 minutes.

Step 5:

Transfer the pan to a rack and cool completely. Can be made a day ahead if covered and refrigerator. Cut pastry into 24 bars and transfer to serving plate. Dust with additional powdered sugar.