3.18.2010

Temptation Thursday!

"When fate hands you a lemon, make lemonade."
-Dale Carnegie


Hello! We have wonderful weather here in CNY, so instead of being on the computer I opt to go outside! I hope all of you can do the same. That being said, I leave you with a short and sweet Temptation Thursday! Enjoy!



Lemon Squares:
(adapted from William-Sonoma)

Serves: 12

Ingredients:

Crust:

* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 1/2 tsp. salt
* 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon
* 8 Tbs. cold, unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Filling:

* 3/4 cup fine sugar
* 2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
* Pinch of salt
* 2 tsp. finely grated lemon zest
* 3 eggs, at room temperature
* 1/2 cup lemon juice
* 3 Tbs. heavy cream
* Confectioners’ sugar for dusting


Directions:

Crust:

1.) Preheat an oven to 350°F.
2.) Lightly grease an 8-inch square, glass baking dish.
3.) In a food processor, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt and cinnamon.
4.) Pulse briefly until blended.
5.) Add the butter pieces.
6.) Mix until dough forms moist crumbs and sticks together when pinched, 1 min.
6.) There should be no trace of dryness.
7.) Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides (1") of baking dish.
8.) Bake the crust until lightly golden, 20 to 22 minutes.
9.) Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the crust cool completely.
10.) Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.


Filling:

1.) In a bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, salt and lemon zest.
2.) Add the eggs, lemon juice and cream, then whisk until just blended.
3.) Slowly pour the mixture over the baked crust.
4.) Bake until the filling has set but still jiggles a bit when the dish is gently shaken, about 20 minutes.
5.) Transfer the pan to the wire rack and let cool for about 30 minutes.
6.) Run the tip of a paring knife along the inside of the baking dish to loosen the crust from the sides.
7.) Let cool completely.
8.) Cut into 12 pieces.
9.) With a spatula, carefully remove the bars from the dish.
10.) Prior to serving serving, sift confectioners sugar over the bars.


Joke of the Day:

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Lemon!
Lemon who?
Lemon me give you a kiss!



Have a great day and remember: Go Ahead & Indulge!

4 comments:

Dorana said...

ooooh! i need to try this with my new mixer! but i'll have to walk a couple more miles a day to enjoy it! :oP

Momma J said...

I love lemon anything and this looks fabulous!

Deana Mattos said...

love lemon

Melanie @ Whimsical Creations said...

drool!