Lemon Bars

     Amelia isn't real crazy about cakes so she likes to choose something different for her birthday.  This is one of her favorites.

Deer Valley Resort’s Lemon Bars                                                      

2 cups plus ¼ c flour                                                   4 eggs

½ cup plus 1¾  c granulated sugar                              4 tsp grated lemon zest

1 c (8 oz) unsalted butter, cut into                              ½ c lemon juice

       ½ inch pieces                                                        powdered sugar to sprinkle on top

½ tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 325*

     Mix 2 cups of flour with ½ cup sugar. Cut in the butter, mixing until the dough resembles sand.  Press evenly into the bottom and a little bit up the side of a 9x 13 inch baking pan.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes until the crust loses its shine and barely begins to show a hint of color.  Let cool.

     In a large bowl, sift the remaining ¼ c flour with the remaining 1 ¾  c sugar and baking powder.  In another bowl, beat together the eggs, lemon zest and lemon juice.  Mix into the sugar/flour mixture until the ingredients are homogenous.  Pour over the crust.  Bake until the filling has set and the edges are light golden, about 20 to 25 minutes.  Let cool.  Place in the refrigerator to chill.  Cut into 2-inch squares.  Dust with powdered sugar.  Makes about 24 bars

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Pam's Pumpkin Bars

My friend, Pam, has some great recipes.  She helps her friends with receptions and this is one that she gave me for my son and daughter-in-laws wedding reception. My daughter-in-law's favorite dessert is Pumpkin Pie but that is too messy to serve so this fit the bill perfectly.

Pam’s Pumpkin Bars

1 Yellow Cake Mix (Reserve 1 cup)

½ cup butter, melted

1 egg

-Mix above ingredients (except reserved 1 cup cake mix), pat into bottom of a 9”x13” pan.

1 large can pumpkin

3 eggs

¼ tsp salt

2/3 c evaporated milk

1 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ginger

½ tsp nutmeg

¼ tsp cloves

-Mix all ingredients and pour over cake mixture in pan

1 cup reserved cake mix

¼ cup flour

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup softened butter

-Mix until crumbly.  Sprinkle over pumpkin mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until knife inserted into middle comes out clean.  Serve with whipped cream.