Lemon Cream Cheese Bars

This week's recipe is really just an excuse to use my new Kitchenaid Stand Mixer. The recipe comes from the included recipe book. Honestly, the mixer was a bit of an impulse buy. I had a 30% off coupon for their website, which miraculously included the refurbished outlet store. So I only paid $139.00 for what once was sold for $400 when new. Until today I had managed to live without even a hand-held electric, so I'm still trying to figure out where the stand mixer fits in my life, other sitting pretentiously on my counter in gleaming chrome metalic. After making this recipe, I'm starting to see how it can be useful. I'm hoping to make bread sometime this week now that we've got pretty good baking weather. Unfortunatly, preparing everything in a stand mixer makes taking pictures a bit difficult. Thoughts and reactions on this recipe tomorrow.



Ingredients

Crust

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 sticks butter, chilled and cut into chunks

Cream Cheese Filling

• 1 8oz package light cream cheese
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Lemon Filling

• 4 eggs
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• Zest of one lemon
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemons)

Directions

Crust
Place all ingredients in mixer bowl and STIR with flat beater 1 minute or until mixture starts sticking together. Press into ungreased 13x9 pan and bake at 350 for 14 to 16 minutes

Cream Cheese Filling
Place ingredients in mixer bowl and STIR with flat beater for 30 seconds. Turn to speed 4 and beat 2 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Pour over partially baked crust and bake for 6 to 7 minutes at 350 or until slightly set

Lemon Filling
Place all ingredients, except lemon juice, in mixer bowl and STIR with flat beater for 30 seconds. Turn to speed 2 and gradually add lemon juice. Mix about 30 second or until well blended. Pour over cream cheese filing and bake for 18 to 20 minutes at 350 or until filling is set. Cook completely in pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.