Layered Lemon Crumb Bars

I've found that recipes from food companies are usually very good, hard to goof up, and satisfy a wide variety of folks.  They inevitably go over well at work, pot lucks, and the like.  They may not be ‘gourmet’, but they are well liked.  That’s the purpose – to sell more of their products.  This different lemon bar recipe from Eagle Brand is just that…good and easy to make. 

Make it easier by using parchment to line the pan with ‘handles’ to help get the bars out.  I used my mixer to make the crumb mixture; the filling just stirs up easily with a spoon.  Let them cool as directed for best results.

Layered Lemon Crumb Bars

  14         Ounces  Sweetened Condensed Milk

     1/2    Cup  Lemon Juice

  1           Teaspoon  Grated Lemon Peel

     2/3    Cup  Butter -- softened

  1           Cup  Brown Sugar -- firmly packed (8 ounces)

  1 1/2    Cups  Flour, All-purpose -- (6 3/4 ounces)

  1           Cup  Oatmeal -- quick cooking (4 ounces)

  1           Teaspoon  Baking Powder

     1/2    Teaspoon  Salt

  1           Teaspoon  Nutmeg

     1/2    Teaspoon  Cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°.  In small bowl, blend milk, lemon juice and rind; set aside.  In large mixer bowl, beat butter and sugar until fluffy; add flour, oats, baking powder and salt.  Mix until crumbly.

Spread half the oat mixture (about 12 ounces) into greased 13 x 9" baking pan.  Press down firmly; spread lemon mixture evenly over crust.  Stir spices into remaining crumb mixture; sprinkle over lemon layer.  Bake 20 minutes or until lightly browned.  Chill 2 hours or until firm; cut into bars.  Refrigerate leftovers.

30 bars

2012 Cost:  $3.22

  "Eagle Brand Delicious Desserts Made Easy"

Per Serving: 132 Calories; 6g Fat (36.7% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 19g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 16mg Cholesterol; 112mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Fruit; 1 Fat; 1 Other Carbohydrates.