Recipe: Lemon Buttermilk Bars

LEMON BUTTERMILK BARS

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar, plus 2/3 cup
2/3 cup flour, plus 2 tablespoons
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 tablespoon lemon zest, finely grated
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup buttermilk
Powdered (icing) sugar, for dusting

MIX THE DOUGH AND BAKE THE CRUST:
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Butter the bottom and the sides of an 8-inch square baking pan.

In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat together the butter and 1/4 cup granulated sugar until creamy. Add the 2/3 cup flour and the salt and mix on low speed until blended. Spoon the dough into the prepared pan and press evenly into the pan bottom.

Bake until the crust is golden, 15-18 minutes.

MAKE THE FILLING:
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, using the electric mixer on medium speed, beat the eggs and the remaining 2/3 cup granulated sugar until blended. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons flour, the lemon zest and juice, and the buttermilk and beat until smooth. Pour the filling evenly over the baked crust.

BAKE THE FILLING:
Bake until the top of the filling is set and barely browned at the edges, 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Cut into 8 bars, dust with powdered sugar shaken through a sieve, and serve.

Makes 8 bars
Source: Food Made Fast Baking, Recipes by Lou Seibert Pappas