'One Lemon' Lemon Bars

Why yes... It's two weeks into the new year and I am posting a recipe that has two sticks of butter. So if you are doing the new diet thing, the juicing thing or the zero sweets thing, then put this recipe in your back pocket for when you feel like you need a little break from your new normal. Or for when you want to make something sweet for a sweet friend, whichever comes first... :)

My brother's girlfriend gave me one of the BEST Christmas presents, which was Deb Perelman's new cookbook, "The Smitten Kitchen." I am obsessed with her blog and have become equally fascinated with her cookbook. I read it from cover to cover over the holidays and have already made two of the recipes. I made her lemon bars first (the spaghetti squash tacos were second- so different and SO good). I have always loved lemon bars, but was quite intrigued by the fact that the lemon flavor comes from just one whole lemon. No juicing or zesting is required. I liked that. So I had to make them...

They were sinful. Just sinful. They have the perfect amount of lemon flavor and are fresh and comforting all at the same time. And the crust... If you are a "crust" person, then you will LOVE the crust of these bars. It's sweet and slightly crispy and slightly soft all in one.

Images by me