Raspberry-Lemon Bars

Ingredients

Base

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1 cup butter, chilled and cut into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 egg, slightly beaten

Filling

• 1 (12 ounce) package frozen raspberries
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. 2

   You can either do the base in a bowl, or a food processor fitted with a steel blade.

3. 3

   Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, and lemon peel. Cut in the butter and egg with a fork, or, if using the food processor, with five-second pulses, until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Set aside two cups of this mixture. Press the rest evenly into an ungreased jelly roll pan (15 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches), and bake for 8 minutes.

4. 4

   In a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, combine all the filling ingredients. Keeping an eye on it and stirring frequently, cook for about 8 - 15 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened to a jam/spread-like consistency. Spread the filling evenly over the base, and sprinkle the reserved flour mixture over all. Bake for another 15 - 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

5. 5

   Cool completely before cutting.