Classic Southern Dessert Series: Lemon Bars

I just bought the most amazing dessert cookbook, Classic Southern Desserts by Southern Living and I am loving pretty much every recipe in it.  I am a true Southern girl at heart although we only lived in the South for about 5 years.  Because I am digging this cookbook so much, I decided to start my first series on this blog.  Occasionally, I will feature a recipe from this book and the first is Lemon Bars.

I love just about any lemon dessert you may throw at me but I have never made or eaten lemon bars.  I truly do not know how I have gone almost 25 years without trying them out.  It really is a shame that I have wasted all this time and I may have to make up for it with these little babies.

Lemon Bars
Recipe from Classic Southern Desserts by Southern Living

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups granulated sugar
2 Tbsp. cornstarch
5 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
1/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine first 4 ingredients; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Pat mixture into a greased 13×9 baking dish. Bake for 18 minutes or until golden.
2. Combine 2 cups granulated sugar and cornstarch. Add eggs and next 3 ingredients; beat well. Pour mixture over crust.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until set. Let cool completely and chill well.
4. Sift 1/4 cup powdered sugar over top. Cut into bars.

Linked to Cupcake Apothecary, Sweet as Sugar Cookies, Everyday Sisters and Sharing Sundays.

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