Shelly's Recipe

Butter Crunch Lemon-Cheese Bars

Category: Bars

Crust:
1/3 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mace or nutmeg
1 cup flour
Cooking spray

Filling:
1 cup 1% low-fat cottage cheese
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 large egg
1 large egg white

Preheat oven to 350.

To prepare crust, place first 4 ingredients in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Lightly spoon 1 cup flour into a dry measuring cup, and level with a knife. Add 1 cup flour to
butter mixture, and beat at low speed until well-blended. Press crust into an 8-inch square baking pan coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.

To prepare filling, place cottage cheese in a food processor; process 2 minutes or until smooth, scraping sides of bowl once. Add 1 cup sugar and remaining ingredients, and process until well-blended. Pour filling over crust. Bake for 25 minutes or until set (the edges will get lightly browned), and cool. Cover and chill for 8 hours. Cut into 8 bars.