Servings: 16 (2-inch) bars or 25 smaller bars
Preheat: 350°
Source: Chewy Gooey Crispy Crunchy by Alice Medrich
Tart lemon filling sits atop a crunchy cornmeal cookie, instead of rich shortbread crust. Superbly tart and tangy, which is just the way I like them.
Ingredients
FOR THE CRUST
2/3 cup (3 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (1.375 ounces) yellow cornmeal
Pinch of salt
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup (2.33 ounces) sugar
1 large egg yolk
1 tablespoon nonfat yogurt
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
FOR THE TOPPING
2/3 cup (4.625 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 large egg white
Grated zest of 1 large lemon, preferably from an organic or unsprayed fruit
1/2 cup strained lemon juice, preferably from an organic or unsprayed fruit
1/4 cup (1.125 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
EQUIPMENT
An 8-inch square metal baking pan, the bottom and all 4 sides lined with foil. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Position a rack in the lower third of the oven.
Directions
To Make the Crust
Combine the flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking soda in a small bowl and mix together thoroughly with a whisk or fork.
In a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Add the sugar and beat at high speed for about 1 minute, or until the mixture begins to form a mass. Beat in the egg yolk, yogurt, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed just until combined. Scrape the bowl and beater. Knead the mixture briefly with your hands to be sure all of the flour is incorporated.
Press the dough evenly into the pan. Prick it all over with a fork. If the pan is lightweight, place it on a baking sheet to prevent the crust from burning on the bottom. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the surface is deep golden brown.
To Make the Topping
While the crust is baking, whisk the sugar with the eggs and the egg white until well blended. Grate the lemon zest directly into the bowl. Whisk in the lemon juice. Whisk in the flour.
When the crust is brown, turn the oven temperature down to 300°F. Slide the rack with the pan out and pour the topping over the hot crust. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until it barely jiggles when you shake the pan gently back and forth. Cool on a rack. Chill before cutting into squares.
Serve cold (my favorite) or at room temperature, dusted with powdered sugar. May be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days.