Friday 19 February 2016

Biscuity Lemon Bars

These lemon bars sit somewhere between a cake and a biscuit, so are a welcome addition to any afternoon tea tray. I've topped mine with a homemade lemon curd, but this is entirely optional and to be honest, if you didn't fancy a lemony hit you could flavour the bars with whatever you like. Vanilla or a light spice work especially well!

Prep time: 20 Mins
Baking time: 30 Mins
175g Unsalted Butter (Softened)
225g Golden Caster Sugar
1 Large Egg plus 1 Yolk
1tsp Lemon Extract
225g Plain Flour
1tsp Baking Powder
1 Small Jar of Lemon Curd (Optional)

Ready yourself, for we are about to begin. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4, then grease and line a medium sized shallow tray with baking paper. Don't be tempted to use a deep tray instead or you'll find the sides will rise and the middle will not. In a large mixing bowl cream together the butter and sugar, then beat in the egg and yolk, along with the lemon extract. Sift in the flour and baking powder, then mix together to a stiff batter. Spread the batter over the base of the lined tray, which will admittedly be quite a challenge. By greasing the tray however the paper should stick to it and not slide around too much as you are spreading. Bake in the centre of the oven for around 30 mins, until the mixture has risen slightly and is a golden biscuity brown on top.

When you are happy the mixture is baked remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tray. Once cool remove from the tray, peeling off the paper as you go. Slice into bars and top with a lick of lemon curd. Or you could just wolf them down as they are. The choice is yours!

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