Mommio: Kids Cook- Lemon Bars

We are getting back to our weekly cooking classes around here and are starting with a new book that Gabe picked out:

The kids want to do each recipe in the book to the end and we will be blogging the recipes, the steps and of course a taste review for each one.  I will be gathering supplies and ingredients for the kids, but after that I will just offer guidance when needed- the goal is for the kids to work together, follow the steps and finish the recipe on their own.  I will serve as the photographer and blogger (and occasional fight-breaker-upper when turn taking goes bad). Today it was just three girls cooking- Avery, Lily and Kennedy.

Here's what they made today:

LEMON BARS

Crust-

all purpose flour- 1 cup

granulated sugar- 1/4 cup

salt- 1/2 teaspoon

cold unsalted butter- 1/2 cup

Filling-

lemon- 1, scrubbed

large eggs- 2, room temperature

granulated sugar- 1 cup
all purpose flour- 2 tablespoons

baking powder- 1/2 teaspoon

powdered sugar- for decoration

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350. Rub a small amount of butter evenly over the bottom and sides of an 8x8 baking pan.  Line the pan with parchment paper and let the paper hang over two sides of the pan.

 

 

Step 2: Use a whisk to stir together the dry crust ingredients until evenly blended.

 

  

 

Step 3: Cut the butter into small cubes then add it to the flour mixture.  Use a pastry blender to cut the butter into the flour until it looks like small crumbs.

 

 

Step 4: Gather the mixture and press it into the bottom of the pan in an even layer to form the crust.  Bake until golden brown (10-15 minutes).  While waiting do Steps 5 and 6.

 

  

 

Step 5: Grate the outside of the lemon to get 1 teaspoon zest.  Put in large bowl. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juice into another bowl.  Measure out 2 tablespoons juice and add to the bowl with the zest.

 

  

 

Step 6: Add the eggs and sugar to the bowl.  Mix with an electric mixer until pale and foamy.  Whisk together the flour and baking powder in a small bowl and then whisk mixture into the lemon mixture.

 

  

  

 

Step 7: Pour the lemon filling over the hot crust.  Return pan to oven and bake until golden on top (25-30 minutes).

 

 

Step 8: Let cool completely.  Lift the bars out using the parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board.  Slice into bars. Put powdered sugar in a sieve and release a thin layer over the bars to decorate.

What people are saying about the girls' lemon bars: "delicious and perfect", "cake like", "turned out good", "gooey and awesome", "lemony and sweet".  Personally, I thought they were incredible and the girls did such a nice job following all the directions.  I only wish we had made a bigger pan!