Lemon Bars

Considering that I've now had 6 snow days in the past 3 weeks and vacation week is here, I've had a lot of time to relax and wind down from stressful midyear exams that I took almost a month ago now. That being said, I've started to get a little bored with nothing to do and no where to go because of the snow. So, I've been doing some baking... more like a lot of baking. Ranging from scones to pies, I've pretty much made it all in these past few weeks. I've eaten a lot of tasty treats, but there is nothing that I've enjoyed more than the lemon squares I made last weekend. I found a good recipe in a baking magazine I bought my mom for Mother's Day last year (boomerang gift?) and literally devoured an entire pan of them in 3 days! That being said, maybe you guys are in the mood to do some baking too. It's a fairly easy recipe and will leave anyone who tries a bite wanting more.

Ingredients
Crust
+ 1 cup all purpose flour
+ 1/4 cup sugar
+ 1 stick unsalted butter
+ 1 tsp. kosher salt

Filling
+ 1 1/2 cups sugar
+ 1/2 cup all purpose flour
+ 3 egg whites
+ 1 egg
+ 1/3 cup lemon juice (make 1/2 for strong lemony flavor)
+ 2 Tbsp. lemon zest
+ Powdered sugar for dusting

Process

Get out the ingredients for the crust. Preheat the oven to 350°and line an 8 inch baking sheet with foil.

Pulse the flour and sugar in a food processor to combine. Gradually add in the butter in chunks and continue to until the dough is crumbly

Press the dough into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the salt over the top of the crust. Bake just the crust for 25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown.

Next, get out your ingredients for the filling. Combine 1 1/2 cups of sugar and 1/2 cup of flour. 

Add the lemon zest, juice, egg, and egg white to the sugar/flour mixture.

Take the crust out of the oven and pour the filling onto the warm crust. Bake bars for about 25 minutes (it took me a little longer), or until the filling no longer jiggles.

After removing from the oven, dust with powdered sugar. Slice into bars and serve!

I hope you try and enjoy this tasty treat!

xoxo,

Julianna 

Preppy by the Sea