Old Fashioned Lemon Squares

Course: Cookies & Squares, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 40

Servings: Squares

Calories: 132kcal

Author: Deanna

Old fashioned lemon squares just like Grandma's. These easy to make squares have a flakey short crust and tangy lemon filling. Perfect for afternoon tea or a light dessert.

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Ingredients

For the Crust

1 Cup Flour All purpose
1/2 Cup Cold butter cut into cubes
1/4 Cup granulated sugar
Pinch of Salt

For the Top

1 Cup Icing sugar plus additional for dusting the top after baking
2 Large eggs beaten
2 Tbsp Flour All purpose
1/4 tsp Baking powder
1 Large lemon, juiced 3-4 tbsp juice
Zest of same large lemon 2 tsp

Instructions

For the Crust

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until it resembles fine crumbs
Press into an ungreased 9x9 pan.
Bake for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven to add lemon top.

For the Lemon Top

Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees
Whisk all the filling ingredients together and pour over the base.
Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until top is set.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Run a knife along the edge of the lemon bars to loosen it from the pan, then turn it out onto a cutting board.
Cut into 16 squares, then dust with powdered sugar.

Notes

This is an old-fashioned recipe, at least 50 years old, from a time when people wanted a nice treat but did not make them as huge as we do now. The lemon custard layer on this square is thinner than the lemon bars you may be used to getting at your local bakery. You can double the ingredients for the filling to make the custard layer twice as thick if you wish. You will need to increase the cooking time by 5-10 minutes. So check at the 25-minute mark and check again every 3-5 minutes until it feels set. However, I've always found this recipe to be perfect as is.

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