Luscious Lemon Bars

Here I am once again sharing one of Ina Garten's wonderful recipes with people who are already know Ina well and use her cookbooks regularly. It just so happens that many of my favorite recipes are Ina's creations and when I want to make lemon bars, for instance, I wouldn't dream of searching out a new recipe when I have one that I consider perfect.  "What makes these bars so special?" you might ask.  The answer is easy...it's the rich, buttery crust that doesn't fall apart when the bars are cut, the intense lemon flavor of the silky smooth filling, and the perfect crust to filling ratio.  If you think I might be exaggerating about these bars just click on Ina's recipe on Food Network and read some of the three hundred five-star reviews.

Lemon Bars

Printable Recipe

For the Crust:

1/2 pound unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 cups flour

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the Filling:

6 extra large eggs, room temperature

3 cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)

1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 cup flour

Confectioners' sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.  Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed.  Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball.  Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2 inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2 inch edge on all sides.  Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned.  Let cool on a wire rack.  Leave the oven on.

For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice and flour.  Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set.  Cool to room temperature.  Cut into squares and dust with confectioners' sugar.

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I have wonderful news to share today.  We have been blessed with a new family member

 who arrived yesterday, Valentine's Day.

Meet Kemper Matthew, born at 6:40 PM on Valentine's Day.

My granddaughter, Katie, and her sweet baby boy are doing well.