Lemon Poppy Seed Shortbread Bars

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter, softened (no subs!)
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (addition for sprinkling on bars)
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (i just used the zest from 1 whole lemon)
• 1 -2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 300°f (set oven rack to middle position).
• 2 butter an 8x8-inch glass baking dish.
• 3 in a bowl using an electric mixer cream the butter with 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).
• 4 add in zest, lemon juice (if using) and poppy seeds; mix until combined.
• 5 in a small bowl mix together flour and salt; add to the creamed mixture and mix just until combined.
• 6 press the mixture into prepared baking pan.
• 7 bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until pale golden brown.
• 8 let the shortbread cool in the pan on a rack for about 10 minutes.
• 9 cut into 24 bars and let the bars cool completely in the pan.
• 10 sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.