Strawberry Lemonade Bars

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 -3 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1/2 cup pureed strawberry (about 3/4 cup berries)
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 350°f lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (or use the baker’s edge pan, if you have one).
• 2 begin by making the crust.
• 3 in a large bowl, cream together 1/4c sugar and 1/2c butter, until smooth and fluffy. working at a low speed, gradually beat in 1 1/2c flour and 1/4t salt until mixture is crumbly. pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer. bake for about 17 minutes, until set at the edges.
• 4 while the crust bakes, prepare the filling.
• 5 in the bowl of a food processor, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, strawberry puree, sugar and eggs and process until smooth. add in flour, baking powder and salt, then pulse until smooth.
• 6 gently pour the filling over the hot crust when it has finished baking. return pan to oven and bake for 23-26 minutes, until the filling is set (there will be a light colored “crustâ€? on top from the sugar in the custard - nothing to worry about).
• 7 cool completely before slicing and use a damp knife to ensure clean slices.
• 8 store bars in the refrigerator, especially on a hot day.
• 9 makes 24 bars.