when life hands you lemons.

   

don't just stand there and cry like a baby.
make these superb lemon bars!

hey...I'm talking about lemons, not apples.  silly boy!
anyway, being it's now officially spring, I wanted to share a recipe that seemed fitting for the season.  and there's nothing more refreshing (think warm, sunny days ahead) than that little hint of lemon.  it might even make you pucker up, causing your significant other to jump for joy!  oh goody.
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here's the recipe:
Creamy Lemon Squares
Prep: 25 min.  |  Total: 2 hours 48 min. (incl. refrigerating)

• 20 Nilla Wafers, finely crushed
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold butter
• 1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 Tbsp. flour
• 3 Tbsp. grated lemon peel
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp. baking powder
• 2 tsp. powdered sugar

PREHEAT oven to 350.  Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan; set aside.  Combine wafer crumbs, 1/2 cup flour and the brown sugar in medium bowl.  Cut in butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs; press firmly onto bottom of prepared pan.  Bake 15 minutes.
MEANWHILE, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.  Add eggs and 2 Tbsp. flour; mix well.  Blend in 1 Tbsp of the lemon peel, lemon juice and baking powder; pour over crust.
BAKE 25 to 28 minutes or until center is set.  Cool completely.  Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.  Sprinkle with powdered sugar and garnish with remaining grated lemon peel, if desired, just before cutting into squares to serve.  Store leftover squares in refrigerator.
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blissfully sweet and a little tart, these lemon squares are simply amazing!  sadly, mine don't look quite as pretty as the ones in the magazine.  nothing ever does. why is that?  are their pictures fake?  I bet that's what it is.  pfft...cheaters.
enjoy!
-jessica