Best Grandma Ila Nelsons Lemon Dream Bars Recipes

LEMON DREAM BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees).
• In a medium bowl, stir together the 2 tablespoons of sugar with the 1 cup of flour. Cut in the 1/3 cup of butter until mixture is coarse crumbs. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking pan. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Set aside to cool.
• In the same bowl, stir together the sugar, salt, and baking powder. Add the eggs and vanilla, mix well. Stir in the coconut and chopped nuts until everything is coated. Spread the mixture evenly over the baked crust. Return to the oven to bake for an additional 25 to 30 minutes.
• To make the icing, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice and confectioners' sugar. Beat until smooth. Pour and spread over the top of the bars as soon as they come out of the oven. Cool for 15 minutes before cutting into bars.

GRANDMA ILA NELSON'S LEMON DREAM BARS

Steps:

• For Crust: In medium sized bowl, stir together flour and powdered sugar.
• Cut in butter with pastry blender or the tines of two forks. Press into greased 10x15x1 pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes.
• For Filling: Beat together eggs, lemon juice, zest and juice of fresh lemon, flour, sugar, baking powder and coconut. Mix well and pour over hot crust. Return pan to oven and bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.
• For Frosting: Beat together butter, lemon juice, vanilla and powdered sugar. Spread over filling when cool.
• Cut into bars & serve. Store covered.

RHUBARB DREAM BARS

Steps:

• In food processor, mix together the crust ingredients.
• Press into a 15 x 10-inch pan.
• Bake at 350° for 15 minutes (crust will be very light colored).
• Meanwhile, combine eggs, sugar, flour and salt; beat together.
• Fold in rhubarb.
• Spread filling mixture on hot crust; return to oven to bake 40-45 minutes longer.
• Cool; cut into bars.

MICROWAVE LEMON BARS

Steps:

• To make crust, combine flour and sugar in small bowl. In another small bowl, microwave butter until melted. Work melted butter into flour and sugar mixture until well blended and crumbly. Press mixture into bottom of microwave safe baking dish, 8" round is what I use. Microwave for 4 minutes. Set crust aside.
• To make filling, combine eggs and sugar, beat until fluffy. Add all remaining ingredients, beat slowly until cornstarch is well dissolved, about 1 full minute. Do not overmix.
• Pour this mixture over baked crust. Cook on high 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 minutes, just until center begins to set. Remove and let chill in refrigerator. Before cutting, dust with powdered sugar. I cut mine into small 1 1/2" bites, place each bite in a paper or foil baking cup as they are quite rich. Enjoy!

CARAMEL PECAN DREAM BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease 13x9 inch pan.
• In large bowl, combine cake mix, margarine and egg.
• Mix at highest speed until crumbly.
• Press into prepared pan.
• In small bowl, beat milk, egg and vanilla until blended.
• Stir in pecans and toffee bits chips.
• Pour over base in pan; spread to cover.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until light and golden brown.
• Center may appear loose but will set upon cooling.
• Allow bars to cool completely before cutting.

CARAMEL PECAN DREAM BARS

Steps:

• In large bowl combine cake mix, butter, and 1 egg.
• Mix on high till crumbly.
• Press onto the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.
• In small bowl, beat milk, egg, and maple flavoring until blended.
• Stir in pecans and bits o brickle chips.
• Pour over cake mixture in pan, spread to cover.
• Bake at 350F for 30-35 minutes until light brown.
• Center may not appear done, but will set after cooled.
• Cut into bars.

CHOCOLATE CHIP DREAM BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• In a bowl, mix together margarine and graham wafer crumbs. Press evenly into a 13 by 9 inch lightly greased pan.
• Pour condensed milk over base.
• Working in layers, sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips, then coconut, then nuts. Using a spatula, press down firmly.
• Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until top is golden.
• Place pan on a rack to cool completely, then cut into bars.