Amazing Lemon Bars

This last weekend "The Fam Bam" and I went to the Butterfly Exhibit at the San Diego Wild Animal park (I refuse to call it the Safari Park). It was SO much fun! I didn't know I was scared of butterflies though till I actually went through the exhibit. I know, so embarrassing.... Anyways I got some great pictures so it was worth the tears.

Of course the family needed dessert so I decided I would make lemon bars. They are one of my moms faves so I was thrilled that they turned out great! We had such a wonderful mothers day, my sisters even got me a mothers day gift because they are just so awesome! They do know how I love my baby Lily aka Silian.

What you will need:

For the Crust:

• Vegetable oil, for greasing
• 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, diced
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Filling:

• 4 large eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest ( I did not use zest)
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 8 lemons)

Directions

Make the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with vegetable oil and line with greased up parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; grease the parchment paper with oil. Pulse the butter, flour, both sugars and the salt in a food processor until the dough comes together, about 1 minute. Press evenly into the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides of the prepared pan, making sure there are no cracks. Bake until the crust is golden, about 25 minutes.


Meanwhile, make the filling: Whisk the whole eggs and yolks, sugar and flour in a bowl until smooth. Whisk in the lemon zest and juice. Remove the crust from the oven and reduce the temperature to 300 degrees F. Pour the filling over the warm crust and return to the oven. Bake until the filling is just set, 30 to 35 minutes.

Let the bars cool in the pan on a rack, then refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. Lift out of the pan using the parchment paper and slice. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving. Try to take them out of the fridge 30 minutes or so before serving. When the crust has a chance to get to room temperature I think it tastes even better!

I hope you all enjoy these as much as I did!!!

Till next time...

Mrs. DeLo