When life gives you lemons, make a lemon bar

Lemon bars make a great little dessert requiring very little effort and no fancy ingredients. They are sweet, buttery, lemony, and creamy – all good things to satisfy the sweet tooth. This recipe comes from Jayanti Addleman, who makes the best lemon bars I’ve eaten. They were so good that I ate two after dinner, then took several to go and gobbled them up by the next morning. This recipe calls for whole wheat flour, although the entire recipe can be prepared with all-purpose flour.

Unsalted butter is ideal, but butter with salt will slightly cut down the tartness of the lemons.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup whole wheat flour 1 ½ cup granulated sugar, divided ½ cup unsalted butter, melted Juice and rind of one lemon 2 eggs ½ tsp baking powder Confectioner’s sugar (optional)

Preparation:

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (350 F).

• Mix lightly together the following ingredients to a breadcrumb consistency: 2/3 cup flour, 1/3 cup whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup unsalted butter.

• Gently press the mixture into the bottom of an 8" X 10" baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes and cool slightly.

• While the crust is cooling, beat 2 eggs with an electric mixer till light. (In the absence of an electric mixer, beat vigorously with a fork.)

• Gradually mix in 1 cup sugar and continue to beat till a pale yellow. Continue to beat and add 3 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 tsp baking powder and the lemon rind.

• Blend until all the ingredients are mixed well.

• Pour the mixture over the crust and return to the oven for 25 minutes.

• Cool complete and serve. Makes approximately 18-20 pieces. If desired, dust with confectioner’s sugar.