First I joined a book group and now i’ve found a baking club – BRILLIANT!
Amy Lane has rather marvellously gathered the troops together to all cook a chosen recipe every month and then share our experiences on our blogs.
July’s tempting treats are summery Lemon Squares. So I recruited my ever-keen kitchen assitant Sam to give me a hand. I was also our turn to look after the class cuddly bear Bertie this weekend, so we fashioned him a red apron out of a napkin so he could help too.
This started well, and Sam and Bertie took a keen interest in chopping up the butter and putting the ingredients in the mixer.
But they soon got fed up and Sam demanded that Bertie should be allowed to make his own cake. So after a total meltdown I gave Sam a bowl with some random ingredients and let him get on with it with Bertie while I attempted to concentrate on my Lemon Squares.
Baking with four-year-olds has to be a fluid affair – I’m just happy that Sam’s taking an interest. He’s far more experimental than me!
Anyway back to the plot. It’s a pretty straightforward recipe. I don’t have a food processor so I used my mixer instead.
Lemon Squares
Ingredients
250g plain flour
75g icing sugar
175g butter, chilled and diced
pinch salt
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the lemon topping
2 unwaxed lemons
4 eggs
225g caster sugar
50g plain flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
icing sugar for dusting
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease a baking tin, approx 24cm x 24cm x 4cm.
2. Put the shortbread ingredients (flour, icing sugar, salt, butter and vanilla extract) into a food processor and process until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. If you don’t have a food processor you can rub the fat into the flour and sugar by hand or using a pastry blender.
3. Tip the mixture into the baking tin and press down with a spoon and/or your hands.
4. Bake for around 15 minutes until a light golden colour, remove from the oven but leave the oven on.
5. Grate the lemon zest and squeeze out the juice. Put this in the food processor with the rest of the topping ingredients and blitz briefly to combine into a thin batter. Again, if you don’t have a food processor you could use a whisk.
6. Pour the mix over the base and put back in the oven for another 15 minutes, until the topping is just set.
7. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Then cut into squares and dust with icing sugar. This recipe will make about 20 squares.
These are not suitable for freezing but can be kept in an airtight container for 4 days.
I’m really pleased with the results. Light and lemony – lovely with a cup of tea or ideal for a summer picnic. We’re going to wrap some up for end-of-term gifts for Sam’s teachers.
I’ve made lemon shortbread before but the topping on these squares makes it really unique. It’s nice to have a new baked treat up my sleeve.
Baking Club Rocks!!!!
Pumpkin and Piglet says
They look great! I’m really excited about Baking Club, I’ll be doing mine this week.
rhwfoodie says
You won’t have any trouble eating them up that’s for sure – happy baking 🙂
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
I like the sound of these lemon squares – I’d already printed the recipe from Amy’s site and hope I get chance to make them before the closing date.
rhwfoodie says
They’re pretty speedy to make and a lovely tea-time treat 🙂
Rosemary Hamilton says
They look delicious and I am sure taste delicious!!Something different for cake stalls.
Lucky teacher.
rhwfoodie says
I will try and bring some to Shropshire on weds… If they last that long…
amylane says
They look great! Thanks for joining in with the Bake It! baking club, x
rhwfoodie says
It’s such a cool idea – thanks for organising it!
Emma says
They look so amazing but after my cupcake disaster I’m not sure if I dare give them a go!!! xxx
rhwfoodie says
Ah go on!!!! They’re easier than cakes I reckon…
Nicola says
Yay! I’ve just joined the Bake It! Club as well. Yummy lemon squares aren’t they? Glad the boys enjoyed making them. PS – What book club have you joined? Must have a look at it as I love reading as well 🙂 x
rhwfoodie says
Hi Nicola – baking club is fab eh?! Any excuse to bake cakes and goodies and I’m right there!
Book group is a local one not online – maybe you could start a virtual one?!
🙂