Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Lemon Squares for the United Way!

I am the "United Way baker" for the month of April at work.  We had a fundraiser and sold tickets and the winner receives home baking from a different person every month for a  year - Yum!  I am making lemon squares which are delicious and easy - my 2 requirements for baking!

The ingredient list is....


Base
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, cold and diced
1/4 cup sugar

Topping
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
Grated lemon rind
Lemon juice
Icing sugar

This recipe requires a food processor but it is really a one bowl and one pan recipe which is great for cleanup!  Start by preheating the oven to 325 degrees and prepare your pan.  I like to use non-stick spray and add a sheet of parchment paper to a 8 or 9 inch square pan.  This makes it simple to lift the squares out in one piece to cut them up.

In the food processor, add all the ingredients for the base - flour, sugar and diced, cold butter (you can substitute hard margarine if you like).  Pulse to make a crumbly mixture and pour this into your prepared pan.  Press the mixture into the bottom of  the pan and then bake it  for 20 minutes.


Meanwhile, make the topping in the food processor.  You don't need to clean the bowl - just add all the ingredients at once.  The sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, the grated rind of one lemon and the juice of one lemon.  Pulse until it is frothy.  It smells heavenly - fresh, light and lemony. 


Take out the base after 20 minutes.  It will still be very light in colour - you don't want it browned.  Pour the topping over it and put it back in the oven for 25 minutes.


When it is set and very lightly browned, take it out and let it cool completely before dusting with icing sugar.


Once it  is cool, you can lift it out of the pan with parchment paper and cut into squares. These freeze very well and we often keep some in the freezer for unexpected guests.  I'm taking them into work tomorrow for Vivian - I hope you enjoy them!!!

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