Lemon Squares Recipe with Progress Pictures :)

Do you love to cook?  I don't think I'd say I was "in love" with cooking, but there are a few things I really enjoy cooking because afterwards I really enjoy eating them! LOL  This post is dedicated to one of my hubby's favorite desserts:  LEMON SQUARES.

Here are the ingredients for the BOTTOM Layer:

• Lemon Cake Mix
• 1 Stick Real Butter
• 1 Egg

Here are the ingredients for the TOP Layer:

• 1 box 4x Powdered Sugar (or 10x is fine)  {Powdered sugar used to come in boxes of 1 pound. Now I think they come in bags of 2 pounds. The important thing to remember here is that you need 1 pound of the powdered sugar}
• 2 Eggs
• 8 oz Cream Cheese

Now.... here's what you need to do....  Before you begin make sure you have a clean working area and that your hands are washed. If you have long fingernails, make sure everything on your hands are clean. Be smart. Germs are NOT our friend.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Butter your casserole dish or spray with Pam.  I'm using a 13" x 9" pan.

I let the butter sit out to reach room temperature before baking. I have found it's easier to remove it from the wax paper wrapping before it's all room temperature and mushy. Took me a long time to figure that one out. LOL  These are the ingredients for the bottom layer: Lemon cake mix, 1 stick REAL butter, and 1 egg.

Mix the egg and butter in the mixer.

Then slowly add the dry lemon cake mix.

This will be thick, and lumpy. That means it's perfect!

Don't be scared if it dumps out the mixer into your casserole dish like this. This is perfect!

Mush it down and cover the bottom of your casserole dish with it.

Now.... on to the top layer... this is the fun part!  You'll need 1 pound of powder sugar (this is a 2 pound bag - only use 1/2 of this!), 2 eggs, and 8 ounces of cream cheese.  I let the cream cheese sit out until it reaches room temperature for easy mixing.

It should be thick and creamy after it's all mixed together. This looks yummy already!

See how thick this is?  This is perfect!

Spread it out to cover the bottom layer completely.

Place it in your pre-heated oven.

Set the timer for 45 minutes. Do not cheat and open the oven door. I promise... it will be fine in there without you looking at it. :)

Depending on where you live, your altitude, your oven variations, etc, you may need to leave it in a little longer.  You know it's done when the top layer is light brown.

Light brown.  Smells delicious!

See the crusty looking edges?  Perfection!  Okay, I have said 'perfect' and 'perfection' a lot in this post. Rarely do I do anything that's perfect or to perfection. LOL  I wish you could smell the delicious aroma in this house. Oh my yumminess.  I can't wait for dessert after supper now.

I will be adding this to my friend, Maria's, Inspire Me Friday's Link Up Party!

If you give this recipe a try... PLEASE let me know how your's came out. :) Smiles & Lemon Hugs  :) Janis