Creamy Lemon Bars and Thick Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars

This years 4Th of July festivities were extra special for me as we were surrounded by all of our children and our new grand baby.  Although, the fire ban in Colorado kept us from using or watching fire work displays, we managed to have an amazing time eating grilled burgers and hot dogs and playing our traditional family Monopoly game. 

My Creamy Lemon Bars recipe, is from the Barefoot Contessa Cookbook and the Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars from fellow food blogger, Real Mom Kitchen!  Both are simple recipes with top notch flavor!

 

Lemon Bars

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:

• 6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
• 3 cups granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 cup flour
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Chill.

Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.
For the filling, whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature.
Cut into triangles and dust with confectioners' sugar.

Ina Garten is flawless in the kitchen and my most admired chef of all time! Thus, she is at the top of my list when searching for recipes. If you're in the mood for a perfectly creamy Lemon Bar this recipe is by far the easiest to make and best I've ever tasted! 

Visit Barefoot Contessa at the Food Network for more amazing recipes!

Thick and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

• 2 1/8 cups (10 1/2 ounces) all purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 12 tablespoons butter (1 1/2 sticks), melted and cooled slightly
• 1 cup (7 ounces) light brown sugar
• 1/2 (3 1/2 ounces) cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Adjust the oven rack to lower-middle position.
2. Line a 9X13-inch baking pan with foil, letting the excess hang over the edges of the pan by about 1 inch so you can grab those edges and pull the brownies from the pan after they have baked. Spray the foil-lined pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Mix the flour, salt, and baking soda together in medium bowl; set aside. Whisk the melted butter and sugars in a large bowl until combined. Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and mix well.
4. Using a rubber spatula, fold the dry ingredients into the egg mixture until just combined; do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips and turn the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with the spatula.
5. Bake until the top of the bars is light golden brown, slightly firm to the touch, and edges start pulling away from sides of pan, 24-28 minutes. Cool on a wire rack to room temperature.
6. Remove the bars from the pan by lifting the foil overhang and transfer them to a cutting board. Cut into 2-inch squares and serve.

Visit realmomkitchen.com for more amazing recipes!