Today is my dad’s birthday!

I am very fortunate to have a loving, kind hearted, supportive father.  My dad has always been there for me. From teaching me how to ride a bicycle, to explaining a balance sheet for accounting, to walking me down the aisle, to giving a speech at my wedding reception that brought Niagara Fall like tears to a room full of people, he is nothing short of amazing.

So, in honor of his birthday, I thought I would bake him a lemon treat. See, lemon desserts are his absolute favorite. Even though I am a complete chocoholic, I can appreciate this citrus dessert. So, lets begin!

To start, here is what you need for success.

First step, make the crust. You can either do it with a food processor or by hand. I love big ol’ appliances so I am plopping everything into my silver knight. What, you don’t name your appliances?

Combine confectioners sugar, flour, and sea salt in the bowl. Pulse once or twice to mix. Next, cut the butter into cubes (make sure it is cold) and add it to the dry mixture. Pulse until the mixture resembles cornmeal.

Press the mixture into a greased nine inch pan and bake for 20 minutes.

Second step, make the filling. Whisk together the granulated sugar and flour in a bowl. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.

Add the zest and juice, and mix until everything is smooth. Pretty easy, huh?

Pour filling over hot crust and return to oven to bake for another 20 minutes. When done, the filling will no longer jiggle. Jiggle, such a funny word.

Make sure to let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

Happy Birthday Dad! Now, make a wish!

Lemon Bars 

(recipe from Eat Live Run)

Yields 12 bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:
for the crust:
1 cup of all purpose flour
1/4 cup confectioners sugar
1/4 sea salt (or kosher salt)
1 stick of cold butter (unsalted)
for the lemon filling:
1/14 cups of confectioners sugar
1/4 cup all purpose flour
4 eggs
2 tsp of lemon zest
2/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
additional confectioners sugar for dusting

Directions:
Preheat over to 350. To make the crust, combine confectioners sugar, flour, and salt in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter and work with your fingers until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Press into a greased nine inch pan and bake for 20 minutes or golden brown.

To make the filling, whisk together the granulated sugar and flour in a bowl. Add the eggs, one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Add the zest and the juice mix until everything is smooth and combined. Pour filling over hot crust and return to oven to bake for another twenty minutes. When done, the filling will no longer jiggle. Let cool completely in the pan before slicing and dusting with powdered sugar.