Lemon Squares

I've been craving all things lemon these days. Particularly, a frozen lemonade drink, though I have yet to manage one nearby that I love. I've tried Dairy Queen and Second Cup and found them too sweet, and tried Wild Willy's, where they don't actually make them. Grr... a few people suggested Tim Hortons to me, but apparently, they only make them here out east. 

I finally found what I was looking for at McDonald's this weekend - the perfect super lemony frozen drink :) And it was like heaven in my mouth. You know it's too lemony when Jerome takes one sip and makes a face. Mmm... I'm drooling as I write this.

This discovery of pure frozen perfection was while we were away on a long weekend visit to Eliza and friends in Tenants Harbour, Maine. Her family has this wonderfully beautiful property, right on the water, and we were fortunate enough to be invited down, yet again, to spend the weekend. 
 

Logan, enjoying the massive property.

This cottage is open for vacation rentals for anyone interested, as is an adorable
little apartment: http://www.woodwindsofmaine.com/

We spent a fabulously relaxing weekend just hanging out and... mostly eating??? It was great to get away and have a chance to catch up with Eliza and her friends again. 

The delicious 'boil' prepared for us for dinner by Dan. Mmmm...

Our wonderful dinner spread.

We did get a chance to get down to the water as well.  Though it was basically ice water, and only the two bravest of the men actually dared to swim. As you can see, Logan didn't love the freezing water!

Enjoying some time by the water.

Logan preferred eating rocks to all of the other wonderful food we devoured this weekend.

So all in all, we had a wonderful weekend, despite the super long drive with baby. There are a few new delicious recipes that I discovered while away that I will get up here over the next little while too. Always a side benefit of a fantastic weekend :)

But back to what got me started on this post in the first place... lemons... so I'd been massively craving all things lemon and unable to fulfill my craving for a super sour frozen lemon drink until just this past weekend (and, as a side note, I only remembered once we'd crossed the border back into Canada that I'd wanted to go back to McDonald's to get a 2nd one... boo...). So I decided to make this recipe for lemon squares in the hopes that this would at least calm my lemony cravings. And it worked pretty well. 

This recipe is from Ash's friend Julie and it is quite delicious. The base is a wonderfully shortbready-tasting crust. Just perfect. And the topping is delicious and creamy. Next time I make this, I'll likely cut the sugar back a bit. Not because it was overly sweet, but because I love, love, love lemon (my mouth is watering yet again) and would like it to be just a bit more tart. But it was super yummy as is.

Base:
1 C flour
1/2 C butter
1/4 C sugar
pinch of salt

1.  Blend well.  Press into unbuttered 8 or 9-inch square pan.

2.  Bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 15-20 minutes.  Let cool.

Topping:
2 large eggs, beaten
1 lemon: juice and finely grated rind
1 C sugar
2 tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. baking powder

1.  Mix together and pour over base.  

2.  Bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 18-25 minutes.  Cool and dust with icing sugar (optional).

The cooking time depends on the size of the lemon and the amount of juice is produces.  Just keep an eye on the squares as they approach the end of cooking.  It doesn't seem to affect the taste if either the base or the top gets a bit browned.

This is very easy to make with a food processor.  Put flour, sugar and salt into container and spin briefly.  Cut butter in small chunks and add to flour mix.  Blend until mixture barely starts to clump; empty into pan.

Break eggs into container (no need to was it after making base); beat lightly.  Add remaining ingredients and spin until well mixed.  Pour over cooled (or warm) base.