Lemon Bars

Yield: 4 dozen bars

Ingredients

Crust

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Filling

• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 4 large eggs
• 2/3 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 4 drops yellow food coloring (optional)
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Crust

1. Combine flour and sugar in a medium bowl.
2. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly.
3. Press lightly onto bottom and halfway up sides of an ungreased 13 x 9 inch baking pan.
4. Bake for 20 minutes.

Filling

1. Beat sweetened condensed milk and eggs in large mixer bowl until fluffy.
2. Beat in lemon juice, flour, baking powder, salt and food coloring just until blended.
3. Fold in lemon peel; pour over crust.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until filling is set and crust is golden brown.
5. Cool in pan on wire rack.
6. Refrigerate for about 2 hours.
7. Cut into bars; sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.