Raspberry Lemon Bars

Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 6 large eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon extract (optional)
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup raspberry preserves (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat the oven to 350°f and spray a 9- inch square pan with nonstick cooking spray.
• 2 combine all the ingredients for the crust in a medium bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until a soft dough forms.
• 3 press evenly into the prepared pan.
• 4 chill for 10 minutes.
• 5 bake the crust for 15 minutes, then let cool in the baking pan for 15 minutes.
• 6 combine all the ingredients for the lemon topping in a bowl and whisk until blended.
• 7 spread the raspberry preserved evenly over the baked crust.
• 8 pour the lemon topping over the raspberry layer.
• 9 place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.
• 10 lower the oven temperature to 325°f and bake for 20-25 minutes longer, or until the topping is set.
• 11 transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely.
• 12 refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours before cutting.
• 13 store at room temperature, or in the refrigerator if you prefer chilled squares.