Lemon Brownies!

!

As I have said before,  I love anything lemon and especially lemon desserts!!!  Therefore, a  "Lemon Brownie" sounded really yummy to me and it really is a great concept!!!  These are the perfect combination of tart and sweet and they disappeared fast at our house!!!    They are super easy to make and are made 100% from scratch!!!   We loved them!!!

Here is what you will need:

1 cup butter, softened to room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 large eggs

3 Tbs. lemon juice

1 Tbs. lemon zest

2 cups self rising flour***

1 tsp. vanilla

***you can use all purpose flour, just add 1 tsp. baking powder and 1/2 tsp. salt

Glaze

2 cups confectioner's sugar

3 Tbs. lemon juice

1 Tbs. lemon zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

In a large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar together.  Add eggs and beat until combined.  Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, flour and vanilla.  Beat until just incorporated.  You need about 4-5 nice size fresh lemons total for the brownies and the glaze!  

Spray a 9" x 13" baking dish liberally  with nonstick baking spray!   Spread the batter evenly in the pan.

Place in the preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 25 -27 minutes.  Don't over bake!   Allow to cool completely.

In a bowl whisk together the confectioner's sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest to make a glaze!!!  Pour over the cooled brownies and spread evenly.   Allow to sit and set up a little for a couple of hours.

Cut in squares and serve!!!  

These are so yummy!!!  

Lemon Crumb Bars!

 

 

As I have said before, I love any lemon dessert and these little "Lemon Crumb Bars" were especially tasty.  They have a unique tart sweet and salty flavor, because you use crushed saltine crackers in them.  It gives them a great taste.  I love sweet and salty.    Here is what you will need for these:

 

1 box lemon or yellow cake mix

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 egg

2 cups finely crushed saltine cracker crumbs

1 (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk (Eagle Brand)

3 egg yolks

1/2 cup lemon juice

2 tsp. lemon zest

1 tsp. vanilla

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Spray a 15"x10"x1" baking pan with nonstick spray.   In a large mixing bowl, combine cake mix, butter, and 1 egg.  Mix well.   This will be very crumbly.  Stir in the cracker crumbs.   Take two cups out and reserve it.   Press the rest in your baking pan firmly.  Bake for 15 minutes.

 

In a medium mixing bowl.  beat the egg yolks, sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and lemon zest until well blended.  Stir in the vanilla.   Spread over the baked crust and then top with the reserved crumb mixture.

 

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes or until the seem firm.  Don't over bake. Remove and allow to cool. 

 

 Cut in bars and serve!

 

These make a great after school snack or a little something sweet with your afternoon coffee!