Lemony Lemon Bars

I adore lemon bars. They add a nice splash of brightness in otherwise cloudy and gray days in Seattle. Speaking of the weather, it feels like we're in this never-ending, eternal funk of dreariness. The sun teases us with brief, momentary sunlight, and the next moment the sky is overcast and it's raining again. There's nothing romantic about the rain in Seattle. It's a constant drizzle, especially annoying when you forget to bring your umbrella that morning! Hmm this reminds me of a Bible verse (Bible Trivia!)... What verse in the Bible relates constant, dripping rain with an quarrelsome person (woman)?

So the story behind this recipe: I've always used the Bake Sale Lemon Bars (on Allrecipes) in the past, and they do turn out great. So, one evening I'm at Ann's, and we're baking together. When Ann told me Rich has an awesome lemon bar recipe, I have to honestly say I was a bit hesitant. Thoughts that ran through my head: "I have a great recipe, do I really want to try something new? What if they don't turn out?" Turns out, Rich's lemon bar recipe is from the exact same source (Bake Sale Lemon Bars), with a few personal modifications that makes the lemon bars more tart and delicious!

Lemony Lemon Bars (with Rich's modifications)


Crust
1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup confectioners' sugar
3/4 cup butter, softened (not melted)

Filling
4 eggs
1 3/4 cups sugar
6-8 tbsp. flour
3/4 cup lemon juice
Confectioners' sugar for dusting (optional)

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease 9x13 inch baking pan. 
2. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, 2/3 cup confectioners' sugar, and 3/4 cup butter with pastry knife or fork. Mixture should be crumbly, not doughy. Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until slightly golden. 
3. While crust is baking, beat eggs and sugar together until frothy. Add flour slowly (to avoid clumps) while continuing mixing. Add lemon juice and mix well. Pour lemon mixture over hot crust. 
4. Return to oven for an additional 20-25 minutes, or until lemon mixture is set. Cool before dusting with confectioners' sugar.