Lemon Bars

 

Ingredients for crust:

2 stick of unsalted butter, room temp
1/2 cup granulate sugar
2 cups of flour
1/8 tsp salt
splash of water as the dough is coming together

Ingredients for filling:

7 large eggs, room temp
3 cups granulated sugar
2 TBSP grated lemon zest
1 cup of lemon juice (I used juice from 3 lemons which was 3/4 cup of juice and then about 1/4 cup of lemon juice from the bottle) 
1 cup of flour
3 drops of yellow food coloring (optional)
splash of vanilla

Topping: 

Powdered sugar for dusting

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degres

2. For the crust, use a stand mixer with paddle attachment. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, add the flour and salt. Add just a splash of water if the dough seems to sandy. It should be crumbly and come together when pressed. 

3. Dump the dough into a 9x13 pan and press flat and to the edges with your fingers. Chill for 15 minutes. 

4. Bake the crust for 15-18 minutes or until very light golden brown. Cool on a rack for 20 minutes while you make the filling. 

5. To mix your filling, combine the eggs, sugar, lemon zest juice, flour, vanilla and food coloring (optional).  Whisk until all lumps are gone. 

6. Pour your filling over the crust. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until set. 

7. Let lemon bars cool to room temp. Cut into squares or triangles and dust with powdered sugar.