Gooey Lemon Squares

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Don't you just love Lemon Squares? I sure do! Probably because they provide both a sweet and sour taste. In other words, they kill two cravings at once!

I tweaked this recipe I originally found in the 2013 edition of Southern Living's "Christmas Cookbook". My mom gifted me this book back in Christmas of 2013 (obviously) and I really enjoy it! A lot of the recipes are for larger gatherings, but the sweets and sides are excellent for any occasion.  

I wanted to make a somewhat "healthier" version of these lemons squares so I substituted All-Purpose Flour for 100% Organic Whole Wheat Flour. Whole wheat flour is a "heavier" flour so you'll need to edit down the amount you use. I used the rule of 3/4 cup of whole wheat flour to replace 1 cup of all-purpose flour.

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups of whole wheat flour. If you wanted to do the original recipe, use 2 1/4 cups of all purpose flour. 
  • 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
  • 1 cup of cold butter
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 cups of granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp of lemon zest
  • 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp of baking powder
  • powdered sugar to sprinkle

Steps

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line bottom and sides of a 13 x 9 inch pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Lightly grease foil. 
  2. Stir together 1 1/4 cups of whole wheat flour (or 2 cups of all-purpose flour) and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar.
  3. Cut in butter using a fork or blender until crumbly. Press flour mixture on bottom of pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly browned. 
  4. Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a large bowl. Then, whisk in granulated sugar, lemon zest and lemon juice. 

          5. Stir together the baking powder and remaining flour. Whisk into egg mixture. Pour            completed mixture over the hot baked crust.

          6. Bake for another 25 minutes or until filling is set. I baked for 25 minutes, but I think the squares could have gone a few minutes longer, and will leave them in there next time. 

           7. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Then, lift from pan and place on wire rack for an additional 30 minutes of cooling. Cut into bars and sprinkle with powdered sugar.  

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Make sure you eat with a napkin handy because the powdered sugar and gooey inside tends to fall and stick to your hands. Or you can just do what I did and lick your fingers like your 5 years old. That way is more fun. :)