Lemon Bars

It’s a good thing citrus season falls in the middle of winter because right about now, I could use a little sunshine (and a good hit of Vitamin C). This recipe is extremely easy to make so if you need to put a little happy in your day, grab a bag of lemons and start baking.

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 9x13 commercial cake pan https://amzn.to/3jpHFix

• citrus press https://amzn.to/40c5Z8p

• citrus juicer https://amzn.to/3DtGu8u

• pure vanilla extract (you deserve the good stuff) https://amzn.to/3wHFAS3

• non-melting confectioner’s sugar for humid climates https://amzn.to/40a73JT

• gluten-free flour https://amzn.to/3Jwrzyw

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Lemon Bars

makes one 9x13 cake pan

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust:

• 1/2 pound (16 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature

• 2 cups all purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Filling:

• 3 cups granulated sugar

• 1 cup all purpose flour (or gluten-free flour)

• 6 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Garnish:

• confectioner’s sugar (or non-melting conf. sugar) for dusting

Directions

To make the crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350F and place rack in center position,

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine all the crust ingredients until no traces of dry ingredients remain.

3. Press dough evenly into bottom of uncoated 9x13 aluminum cake pan.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then remove from oven and reserve while you make the filling.

To make the filling:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour until no lumps remain.

2. Add the remaining filling ingredients and whisk until smooth.

3. Pour filling over prebaked crust and return to oven for 30-35 minutes or until the filling is set.

4. Allow to cool completely in pan (chill if desired) before serving.

To serve:

1. Just before serving, sprinkle with a layer of confectioner’s sugar, then cut and serve. In humid climates, consider non-melting confectioner’s sugar. Bars are best served the day they’re baked as the shortbread crust will become chewy after that.

2. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can safely be kept at room temperature, but chilling keeps the filling firm and easy to handle.

Notes

• This recipe can easily be made gluten free by using gluten-free flour instead of all purpose flour. Substitute equally.

• Serve these bars the same day they are baked. You can still eat them a few days later, but the crust will absorb moisture from the lemon filling and become chewy.

• Wait until the bars are completely cool before dusting with confectioner’s sugar. If you live in a humid climate, you might prefer dusting with non-melting confectioner’s sugar.

Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

I recently spent some time visiting a friend out of town and she made these delicious pumpkin bars. I didn’t have my good camera with me, but I snapped a quick picture with my iPad and asked for the recipe so I could share it with you. Enjoy!

I wish you could smell the lovely aroma this cake is filling the room with!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 10x15 jelly roll pan https://amzn.to/36aD2C8

• pure pumpkin puree https://amzn.to/3JkDsEc

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3ovS9fE (this one is my favorite)

• vanilla bean paste https://amzn.to/3HhfWXZ (again, this is my fav)

• offset spatula https://amzn.to/2o7PoVn

• hand mixer https://amzn.to/3uLUwiy

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Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

makes 24 servings (10x15 jelly roll pan)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

Bars:

• 4 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 2/3 cup sugar

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 15 ounce can 100% pure pumpkin puree

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon fine salt

Frosting:

• 2 cups confectioners sugar, sifted

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

• 1/8 teaspoon fine salt

Directions

To make the bars:

1. Preheat oven to 350F, place rack in center position, and have an ungreased 10x15-inch jelly roll pan ready to go.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin puree; set aside

3. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; stir flour mixture into pumpkin mixture until no traces of dry flour remain.

4. Pour batter into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean.

5. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting:

1. In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to combine the frosting ingredients until light and fluffy (you can add a splash of milk if needed).

2. Spread frosting evenly over cooled pumpkin bars.

Note

• store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to a week.

adapted from Taste of Home