Shortcut Lemon Bars

This is a new recipe I though I'd try.  I got some sugar cookie dough on clearance with some recipes in mind.  My boys wish I had put this in their lunches today.  It will be a nice treat to have when they get home from school; I know they will be very excited! The recipe is adapted from Pillsbury.com.

Ingredients:
16.5 oz refrigerated sugar cookie dough
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tbs flour
2 tbs margarine
1 tbs lemon extract
1/3 cup lemon juice
1-2 tbs powdered sugar (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Spray a 9x13 pan with a nonstick cooking spray.  Evenly press the cookie dough in the pan.  Bake for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mix together the eggs and sugar together.  Then, add the flour, margarine, lemon extract, and lemon juice mixing thoroughly.  My sauce had small chunks of margarine spread about and worked out fine.

Pour over baked cookie dough.  Bake for about 20 minutes.  Their was a small portion, about a quarter, of the dish that was still "baking."  You don't want to over bake this dessert.  It will continue "baking," as it cools.  The edges were kinda browned; I just took a knife to cut that part away as it cooled.

Once completely cooled, sprinkle with powdered sugar.  My son thinks this part is necessary, while I disagree. :)

Sugar Cookies

It's been a while since I last made this recipe.  I almost ditched it, as I was cleaning out some papers.  It's better than I remember it.

Ingredients:
1 cup butter/margarine
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp lemon extract

Powdered Sugar Glaze
1 cup powdered sugar
2-4 tbs milk/butter (melted)
1/4 tsp lemon extract (optional) or vanilla extract


Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Mash together the butter/margarine & sugar well.  Add eggs & stir well.  Need to make sure that the sugar gets incorporated well.

Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Stir well.  The dough will be kinda stiff.  Add the lemon extract and mix well.

Line your cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Using an ice cream scoop, drop dough onto parchment paper.

Bake for about 13 minutes, until lightly browned.

To glaze the cookies, gradually/slowly add the milk/butter to desired consistency.