Living in Santa Cruz County, all different kinds of local fruits and vegetables are available at a moment’s notice. There are many fruits and vegetables in season this winter, like lemons and winter squash. Using local seasonal fruit and vegetables, can make a dish go from being okay to outstanding, and these lemon squares are outstanding. From the kitchen of Food Network, these indulgent sweet and sour lemon square are ready for the making.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, at room temperature
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for sprinkling
Filling:
- 4 large eggs
- 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 2 large lemons)
- 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a saucepan, melt the butter. Mix the flour and confectioners’ sugar in a bowl and add the melted butter, mixing until a dough forms. Press the mixture firmly into a 9- by 13- by 2-inch pan. Bake the crust for 25 minutes.
For the filling: While the crust is baking, with an electric mixer, combine the eggs, lemon juice and zest until smooth. Add the granulated sugar, flour, baking powder and salt, and beat until smooth. Pour the mixture over the baked crust. Bake for 20 minutes more.
Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely. Sprinkle the top with confectioners’ sugar. Cut into squares, serve and enjoy!
-Amanda Rinnert
The Claw 