- Whitney
Best Lemon Squares
Years ago, I was tipped off that my then future mother-in-law loved lemon squares. Since she wasn’t too fond of me and I happened to have the ability to make a pretty bomb lemon square, I decided to bring her some to try to show my sincere affection and desire to be welcomed into the family. Unfortunately, my mother-in-law’s bare tolerance of me stemmed from far deeper-rooted issues that were completely outside of my control. (Namely, her animosity toward her own son who refused to live under her thumb.) I believe the fact that I make the best lemon squares ever only added fuel to her fire. Oh well, that’s fewer family functions I have to drag my kids to and paste on my happy face.
Aside from wanting to dazzle your in-laws, I have another solid reason you need to make these bars. I won first place at a Christmas baking competition with these summery, fruity lemon squares. I have no idea what possessed me to make such a dessert for a Christmas baking competition, but that tells you just how good it is. My mother-in-law should have been totally won over.
Ingredients for the crust:
1 cup butter (softened)
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 cups flour
Ingredients for the lemon filling:
4 eggs
2 cups granulated sugar
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 TBSP powdered sugar (for topping)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Use the flat beater attachment for stand mixer.
Beat in 2 cups of flour until blended.
Press crust mixture into greased 9 by 13 pan.
Bake for 20 minutes.
While crust is baking, beat 4 eggs and 2 cups granulated sugar with a wire whisk attachment.
Beat in lemon juice, flour, and baking powder.
Pour mixture over baked crust.
Bake for 20-25 minutes (or until lightly browned) at 350 degrees.
Sprinkle powdered sugar on top.
Maybe, just maybe, this recipe will help you make amends with your mother-in-law. If it ends up working for you, she is definitely a more reasonable individual than mine.