Lemon Bars

Wow!  It's been a while since I've posted something - sorry!  I've been working a lot lately so unfortunately haven't had much time to cook.  My parents came to visit this weekend, so it was a nice chance for mom and I to get in the kitchen.  My mom has always loved sweet things in the morning with coffee, such as pastries, so I decided lemon bars might be nice.  I altered them to make them a little healthier (of course) with Smart Balance margarine and Splenda, and I thought they were great.  My mom said that when you bake, you're supposed to BAKE.  Meaning, load up on the butter and sugar.  Well, you know me, I like to be healthy and I rarely bake.  Suffice to say, these were delicious!!  :)


yield: Makes 24

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, cut into pieces, room temperature
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon all purpose flour
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
Powdered sugar
Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar in large bowl. Add butter and cut in until mixture resembles coarse meal. Press mixture into bottom of 9x13x2-inch baking dish. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Maintain oven temperature.
Beat eggs, 1 1/2 cups sugar, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon flour and lemon peel in medium bowl to blend. Pour into crust. Bake until mixture is set, about 20 minutes. Cool.
Cut into 24 bars. Sift powdered sugar over top before serving.