Lemon Poppy Seed Bars

Welcome to Ms. Nicolette's Pantry! So happy to have you here and in the kitchen with your kiddo adding something new to your lifestyle.

I have hand-picked recipes and activities that are easy for you to create at home with the help of your children. Based on their age you can decide which tasks they can help you with, and which ones they should let an adult do. Make this a learning experience for you both - let your child explore the baking/cooking process and explain each item, ingredient, and step to them, and watch how your child interacts!

It is unbelievable that June is already here - and its definitely starting to bring the heat! Stay cool with these light and refreshing lemon poppy seed bars.

Read to the end for special notes about this recipe!

Tools Needed:

• 9 x 13" pan

• Stand or hand mixer

• Medium bowl

• Zester

• Citrus reamer (juicer)

• Whisk

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Spatula

Ingredients:

Bars

• 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 4 large eggs

• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 large lemons, zested

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

Glaze

• 1 cup powdered sugar

• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice

• 1 large lemon, zested

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a 9 x 13" baking dish with parchment paper

2. Using a bowl and hand mixer, or a stand mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs one at a time. Tip: cracking eggs is a good small job for the kiddos, but make sure to crack them into a separate bowl to avoid eggshells.

4. Add the lemon juice and lemon zest.

5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and salt until combined.

6. Gradually add the dry ingredients. Tip: rather than tipping the bowl, use a measuring cup to do this step!

7. Fold in the poppy seeds until combined.

8. Pour the batter into the baking dish.

9. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes or until the edges just begin to brown.

10. Allow to cool for 15 minutes, making the glaze in the meantime.

11. Using a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and zest. Tip: this is a great step for kids to do all on their own! Just make sure to go slow at the start to avoid a powdered sugar explosion!

12. Pour the glaze evenly over the bars and use a spatula to spread if necessary.

13. Allow the glaze to set and harden before cutting into bars and serving.

14. Enjoy!

    
    

NOTES:

• While its not necessary to be refrigerated, it is recommended to extended the shelf life. Otherwise, just wrap tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container.

• You can use bottled lemon juice if fresh lemon juice is not handy, but freshly squeezed is better..

• These can be made in advance but I would NOT recommend freezing it!

• Have fun and enjoy!