Chipotle Lemon Bars

For those who like the spicy side of life chipotle chile powder adds sweet heat to everyone's favorite lemon bars.

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 5 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 35 mins
• Calories: 314 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 4 eggs
• 1 ¾ cups white sugar
• ½ cup confectioners' sugar
• ⅓ cup confectioners' sugar for dusting
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• 1 cup butter or margarine, chilled
• ⅓ cup apricot preserves, or preserves of your choice
• ⅜ cup lemon juice

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch square pan.

Step 2

Combine 2 cups flour, butter, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder in a food processor; pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture into the prepared pan.

Step 3

Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until firm and golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool at least 20 minutes in the pan.

Step 4

Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

Step 5

In a small bowl, whisk together the preserves and 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder; spread over the cooled crust. Whip eggs with a wire whisk until foamy. Beat in sugar, lemon juice, and salt until the sugar has dissolved. Sift together 1/3 cup flour and baking powder; whisk into eggs until smooth. Pour onto the preserve-topped crust.

Step 6

Bake in preheated oven an additional 35 to 40 minutes, until the center of the egg mixture has set. Sift together 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar with 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder, and sprinkle over hot lemon bars. Cool completely before cutting into bars.