Monday, July 18, 2011

Creamy Lemon Squares

Creamy Lemon Squares

It's time for the Secret Recipe Club again. I'm the biggest procrastinator ever, and have never, ever been able to schedule a post. This group is slowly changing that in me!! This post, and last month's have both been scheduled. Can you believe it? Who knew blogging would bring about such life changes too, I've actually began doing things on time, instead of beginning a few hours after due date. Thank you, Amanda :) You should sign up too!

This time I was assigned Cara's blog, the Boys Made Me Do it. I was really happy with this assignment, she had a lot of great choices, and I was torn between these bars that she made from the Pioneer Woman, or Joy the Baker's super famous Cinnamon Sugar Pull Apart Bread. I finally chose the lemon bars, since the were so absolutely easy to make, and yeast is something I have yet to conquer. Plus, lemon is something I love baking with, but somehow I haven't done as much. Turns out it was the perfect pick, these bars, though easy and not true lemon bars, were absolutely delicious. The creaminess of the filling just went perfectly with the oat-sy crust, the and puckeriness of the lemons was just wonderful. This took like 10 minutes to prepare too, so there really shouldn't be anything stopping you from making these.


Creamy Lemon Squares
Adapted from the Boys Made Me Do It via the Pioneer Woman

1 1/2 cup [180g ] flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 stick [113 g] butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup oats - I used quick cooking
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice - This can be varied according to taste
zest of 1 lemon

Instructions -
  1. Preheat oven to 350 F [180 C]. Grease a 8 x 11 pan.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the softened butter and brown sugar. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add this to the butter mixture, stir till incorporated. Now dump in the oats, and mix as best you can.
  3. Line about 3/4th of this mixture at the bottom of your pan, and press it in using your fingers, or a measuring cup.
  4. In a medium bowl, pour in the can of sweetened condensed milk. Add the lemon juice and zest. You can taste this mixture as you go, and vary lemon accordingly. It should be really quite puckery, the taste mutes a little because of the crust. Mix well, and pour over the layer of oats. Slightly level with a spatula.
  5. Now sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture over the lemon layer, and lightly flatten with fingers, don't pack it in.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, till the crumb in golden brown. Cool for about 30 minutes, cut into bars, and serve.


29 comments:

  1. What a delicious twist on a lemon bar! These look fantastic...who can resist sweet milk? :D

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  2. Sounds delicious! I love lemon, and I am a huge fan of lemon squares.

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  3. Wow so many participants in this! These bars look fantastic -- a nice refreshing twist on the gooey curd-like lemon bars I'm used to.

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  4. Those squares look so delicious - and so easy! What a winner!

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  5. yummy! I love the idea of the extra crust on top! I bet these were delicious!

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  6. delicious! I made pioneer womans cream bars and posted about them recently, they really are so good arnt they :) good choice!

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  7. These lemon bars look wonderful.
    So fun to be in the Secret Recipe Club with you. This looks amazing :)

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  8. Lemon Bars are the perfect choice for a summer dessert. So fun to participate in SRC with you.

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  9. Oh, I think you definitely made the right choice for the SRC. Great bars!

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  10. Isn't it such a great feeling when you have posts done in advance? These lemon bars look delicious.

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  11. Those look delicious. I'm always so excited to get my assignment that I have my post done and waiting weeks in advance!

    If you haven't already, I'd love for you to check out my SRC recipe this month: Holy Guacamole.

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

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  12. These look wonderful. And easy, which is nice! I participated for the first time this month and was assigned to..... you! I made your oatmeal apple pie bars which were wonderful. Hope you check them out on my site!

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  13. Valerie - Oh you lemon hound. Ofcourse you'd love these!

    Cara - Thanks for introducing me to them :)

    BigFatBaker - I love lemon too, these were nice and different.

    Xiaolu - Yeah, the group's growing each time!

    Beth - Totally :D

    Amanda - Yeah the crust is always the best part :D

    The Procrastobaker - Oh yes they are. This is the first PW recipe I've tried!

    Marla - Same. Can't wait for next month's assignment <3

    Shelby - Thanks :D

    Kate - You too. They really are perfect :)

    Carolyn - Aw thanks.

    Julie - I know, right. Hopefully it sticks for the rest of my posts!

    Lisa - Hahha that's a great approach. I get excited, but it fizzles out after a while :(

    Rivki Locker - Great pick. I'll just hop over to see how you liked them, because they're a winner for sure :)

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  14. The bars look delightful! Fun to be with you in SRC.

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  15. Creamy and lemon together... yes please!!

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  16. What a great dessert!!! Your pictures are fabulous and I must say, I LOVE your blog! <3 xoxo

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  17. I love lemon bars and i like the oat twist to these. nice pick!

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  18. Those look great, A. I always have good intentions to post date my post and always end up getting it done late the night before! My goal for August is to do it early!

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  19. WOW! Those lemon bars look very delicious!

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  20. This looks like a delicious take on regular lemon bars. I love creamy lemon desserts!

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  21. Have you ever tried yeast? It's a lot easier than you think! I used to be terrified by it, now I find it so fun!

    Amy @ A Little Nosh

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    1. I was just scrolling through old posts & saw this. Unfortunately, I haven't YET! It's on the list for 2014 though!

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  22. OH those look great! Summer treat for sure! I wonder if you could add a layer of fruit or something?? I always find the lemon raspberry bar at Starbucks so delicious!

    We just started following you! Cannot wait for more sweet treat recipes!

    Love,


    http://chickswholovetoeat.blogspot.com/

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    1. I'm sure you could. It'd taste amazing, and a layer of jam would be an easiest way to add in the fruit flavor

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  23. Looks like a great recipe! thanks for sharing!

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