Best Loved Lemon Bars (The Great American Bake Sale)

     

       Next to brownies, lemon bars are probably the most popular bake sale item. For interesting variations on a classic, try Orange bars or Coconut Key Lime bars.

Makes 3 dozens

• 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 5 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• Powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350F (175C)
2. Blend butter, salt, ½ cup powdered sugar and 2 cups flour to make soft dough.
3. Press evenly into ungreased 9 x 13-inch pan ; bake 15 to 20 minutes until golden.
4. Meanwhile, combine eggs, lemon peel, lemon juice, sugar and ¼ cup flour and blend until smooth.
5. Pour over baked crust ; reduce heat to 325F (160C) and bake 25 minutes until firm.
6. Cool ; dust with powdered sugar and slice into bars.

Variations

1. Orange bars : Substitute orange juice and peel for lemon juice and peel. Omit powdered sugar topping. Melt 2 ounces semisweet chocolate with ¼ cup butter. Spread over bars as a glaze.
2. Coconut Key Lime bars : Substitute lime juice and peel for lemon juice and peel. After pouring filling over crust, sprinkle with 1 cup shredded coconut.
3. Almond Amaretto bars : Substitute Amaretto liqueur for lemon juice. Omit lemon peel. After pouring over the crust, sprinkle with 1 cup sliced almonds.
4. Cherry Bon Bon bars : Substitute marashino cherry juice for lemon juice. Omit lemon peel. Chopped about 2 dozens well-drained cherries and add to filling. Omit powdered sugar topping. Melt 1 ounce semisweet chocolate and 1 ounce unsweetened chocolate with ¼ cup butter. Spread over bars as a glaze.

HAVE A GREAT BAKE SALE