Lemon Bars

Crust:

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter or margarine (1 stick), softened

Filling:

4 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (1 large lemon)

Topping:

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, beat crust ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly. In bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan, press mixture evenly. Bake about 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 10 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, in same large bowl, stir together filling ingredients except lemon juice. Stir in lemon juice. Pour mixture over warm crust.

3. Bake 25 to 30 minutes longer or until top is light golden brown. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. For bars, cut into 6 rows by 6 rows.


***This recipe was so easy to make! And it turned out great! It does take awhile from start to finish (about 2-2.5 hours), but well worth it. I made the mistake of doing step 2 while the crust was cooking. You are supposed to complete step 2 while the crust is cooling.

***If you do not have a lemon, then one lemon juice lemon (you know the little yellow plastic lemon with lemon juice in it) does the trick. It is exactly the right amount of juice.

***Ok, so maybe you do not have to use the Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix, but since the secret is out, it is a Betty Crocker recipe. It was so easy to make and I had almost all of the ingredients on hand. It made it so easy to put together. It was definitely a hit!