lemon bars.

a few weeks ago, i offered to bring a dessert for a family shindig. i wanted to try something new - not just the usual cookies or brownies or cake or whatever. and this spring weather made me think of lemon bars for some reason. i've never made lemon bars before, but i thought i'd find the easiest recipe i could fine (no joke) and go for it! Jae always wonders why i choose to try new recipes or make something i've never made before when it's for an event that a big group will be eating (i guess the guy has a point).....so i decided to do a trial run the day before and make sure they didn't suck :) they were delish! now to the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

*1 package lemon cake mix

*1 egg

*1/2 cup vegetable oil

*1 8 ounce package cream cheese

*1/3 cup white sugar

*1 tablespoon lemon juice

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 
2. Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Add the egg and oil; mix until well blended. Mixture will be slightly dry. Reserve one cup for the topping, and pat the rest into an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
3. Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with the sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Spread the mixture evenly over the baked crust. Crumble the reserved cake mix mixture over the top.
4. Bake for an additional 15 minutes in the preheated oven, or until filling is set and the topping is lightly toasted. Cool before cutting into bars. Refrigerate leftovers.

1st layer

with the added cream cheese middle yumminess

after the 3rd layer of crumbly goodness was added and baked

the recipe doesn't say to do this, but i've always envisioned lemon bars should have powdered sugar on top. so i added it!

they are so super crumbly and messy to eat, but SO good! 

worth the crumbs :)