Lemon and Cococut Squares

I am a citrus girl!

I have a deep love for lemons.Growing up in Costa Rica we had a few lemon trees in out backyard. Every day we would make fresh lemonade and use the fresh lemon juice as dressing in our salads.

My mom even used to make Lemon Curd, we call it "Jalea de Limon" and it was a staple in our house to eat it at breakfast with a toast or even with coffee in the afternoon.

Of course, back then I had no idea that I could use Lemon Curd to fill cakes,cupcakes or cookies!

These lemon squares are full of flavour, the filling is not too thick and are so easy to make.

 They have just the right amount of yumminess ( is that a word?)to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Lemon and Coconut Squares

recipe adapted from Two Peas and their Pod

Ingredients:

1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

1/4 cup old fashioned oats

1/3 cup shredded sweetened coconut

1 can condensed milk
1 cup light brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
3 teaspoons lemon zest


- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

-Line a 9 x 13' inch baking pan with parchment paper leaving 2 inches hanging over the sides.

-In a bowl,mix flour,baking powder and salt and set aside.

-Make the filling whisking together sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, lemon juice and the lemon zest in a bowl, set aside.


To make the crust:
Using an electric mixer,beat together butter and brown sugar. Add the dry ingredients ( flour mixture) and mix until everything comes together. Add oats and coconut.
-Take 1 cup of the crust mixture out of the bowl and set aside.

-Put the remaining of the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and press firmly into an even layer.
-Add the filling and spread evenly with a spatula.

Now take the 1 cup of crust mixture that you previously sat aside and crumble it over the top of the lemon mixture.

Put baking pan in the oven and bake for 30 minutes or until you see a golden brown color around the edge of the pan.
Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
Enjoy!