lemon bars

these are the lemon bars of your dreams.  that's really all i should say about them.  but i won't stop there.  this is a recipe that my mom has always used...for good reason.  it's perfect.  the shortbread crust is flaky and rich and the custard filling is tart and sweet.  it's the stuff dreams are made of.  i mean if you dream of food like i do.  in fact, there's a whole neighborhood who would agree with me.  there are certain people who live around my mother who would attend certain functions only because her lemon bars would be there (who's that girl getting married?  who cares, julie's lemon bars will be there!).  and, if you can believe this, i married a man who disliked lemon desserts (preposterous, if you ask me).  and i say disliked because he now craves these lemon bars.  and everything lemon.  so you could say that these bars are not only the stuff dreams are made of, but maybe even life altering.

2 c flour
1 c butter
1/2 c powdered sugar
1/8 t. salt

mix together flour, sugar, and salt.  cut in cold butter with either a pastry cutter or food processor until crubbly and butter is in pea sized lumps.  press into the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 pan firmly.  bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

4 eggs, well beaten
2 c granulated sugar
juice and grated rind of 2 lemons (about 6 tbsp.)
4 tbsp. flour
1 t. baking powder

during the last few minutes of baking the crust, begin mixing together the filling.  beat eggs well and add sugar.  continue beating together until mixture has lightened a few shades and sugar has begun to dissolve.  add remaining ingredients and blend together well.  when you remove crust from oven, immediately pour filling over crust and return to the 350 degree oven to bake for 20 - 25 minutes.  cool.  sprinkle with powdered sugar.