Classic Lemon Bars

Ingredients

• 1.5 sticks butter unsalted diced
• 4 large eggs 
• 0.3 cup flour all-purpose sifted
• 2 cups flour all-purpose
• 2 cups granulated sugar 
• 1 cup juice of lemon fresh from 8 lemons
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest grated
• 0.3 cup brown sugar light packed
• 0.3 teaspoon salt 
• 0.5 cup confectioner's sugar plus more for garnish
• 24 servings vegetable oil for greasing

Equipment

• food processor
• bowl
• frying pan
• oven
• whisk
• aluminum foil

Directions

1. Make the crust: Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch pan with vegetable oil and line with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides; grease the foil with oil. Pulse the butter, flour, both sugars and the salt in a food processor until the dough comes together, about 1 minute. Press evenly into the bottom and about 1/2 inch up the sides of the prepared pan, making sure there are no cracks.
2. Bake until the crust is golden, about 25 minutes.
3. Whisk the whole eggs and yolks, sugar and flour in a bowl until smooth.
4. Whisk in the lemon zest and juice.
5. Remove the crust from the oven and reduce the temperature to 300 degrees F.
6. Pour the filling over the warm crust and return to the oven.
7. Bake until the filling is just set, 30 to 35 minutes.
8. Let the bars cool in the pan on a rack, then refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours. Lift out of the pan using the foil and slice. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.
9. Photograph by Stephanie Foley