lemon squares: a springtime dessert

i love baking for the seasons. as soon as springtime hits, i'm thinking of light, fluffy, fruity stuff - though i'll take a cupcake year round. i remember my mother making these lemon squares, and had to ask her for the recipe. i'm not entirely sure where it came from aside from my grandmother - possibly southern living? - but she scanned the little card & sent it to me. cute right?

this recipe is incredibly simple, gooey, buttery, tart and delicious. they're a perfect spring or summertime dessert, and probably would taste even better on a picnic or at an outdoor party. so, just in case you cannot read my mother's handwriting, you'll need:

• 1 cup softened butter
• 2 cups unsifted flour
• 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 & 3/4 cups sugar
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup flour

01. preheat your oven to 350 degrees. combine the first 3 ingredients with an electric mixer. this forms a sort of dough that will be your crust. press the dough into the bottom of a baking pan. (sizes? who needs sizes?)

02. bake the crust for 20 minutes. while it bakes, whip up your lemon mixture.

03. combine eggs, sugar, lemon juice, baking powder and flour with an electric mixer. once your crust has baked, pour mixture on top and bake an additional 25 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned. when it's cool, sprinkle confectioner's sugar on top. enjoy!

what are your favorite springtime recipes?