Lemon Bars

There was a time when I didn’t like any kind of lemony dessert. Don’t ask me why. I just didn’t. Now if you know me, you would know that I put lemon or lime in almost all of my foods! Soups, all seafood, chicken, fruit and even on my deviled eggs! Lemons are an essential ingredient at my house just like milk & eggs.  

I don’t know when the switch flipped but lately I’ve been on a kick for lemony desserts. There is something so refreshing about them specially now during the summer. I have a recipe for a lemon cake and can’t wait to make it! 

These lemons bars are so easy to make but the best part is they have half the calories of your standard lemon bar. The original recipe is a light version but I even went further by replacing some granulated sugar with stevia in the raw. When my husband can’t tell the difference between a light recipe from the high calorie one, I know I scored a good one! 

The BEST part is they’re only 120 calories each bar. These little beauties are worth every bite!

Lemon Bars
adapted from Cooking Light magazine

Ingredients:
3.4 ounces all-purpose flour (about 3/4 cup)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoon sunflower seeds, coarsely chopped
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons canola oil
Cooking spray
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 stevia or your preferred natural sweetener
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
2 large eggs
1 large egg white
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and coat an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish

Weigh or lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Place flour, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, sunflower seeds, and salt in a food processor; pulse about 2 times to combine.

Add butter and canola oil. Pulse about 5 to 7 times or until mixture resembles coarse meal.

Place mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Press into bottom of pan and bake for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees.

While the crust is baking, combine granulated sugar, stevia and the next 5 ingredients (through egg white) in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk until smooth.

When the crust is ready, pour the mixture over it. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes or until set.

Remove from oven, and cool completely in a pan on a wire rack. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Sprinkle bars evenly with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar.

Makes 12 bars