Recipe: Lemon Custard Bars

Lemon Custard Bars
rec.food.recipes/Johnson (1999)
Makes 16

1/3 cup margarine or butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons finely shredded lemon peel (set aside)
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
Powdered sugar

For crust, in a medium mixing howl beat margarine or butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed about 30 seconds or till softened. Add 1/4 cup of the sugar. Beat till thoroughly combined. Then beat in 1 cup flour till mixture resembles fine crumbs.

Press mixture into an ungreased 8x8x2-inch baking pan. Bake in a 350 F oven for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, for lemon mixture, in the same mixing bowl beat eggs with an electric mixer on medium speed just till foamy. Add the remaining sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, lemon juice, baking powder, and salt. Beat on medium speed about 3 minutes or till slightly thickened. Stir in lemon peel.

Pour lemon mixture over baked crust. Bake in the 350 F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or till lightly golden around edges and center is set.

Cool in pan on a rack. Sift powdered sugar over top. Cut into bars. Store, covered in refrigerator.