LEMON HAZELNUT SQUARES

Lemon Hazelnut Squares image

Yield Makes 16

Number Of Ingredients 14

Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup chopped husked toasted hazelnuts
Filling
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon minced lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
Powdered sugar

Steps:

For crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 8-inch square baking pan with foil; butter foil. Mix flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter and nuts and blend until fine meal forms. Press onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake until light brown around edges, about 18 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare filling:
Blend first 6 ingredients in processor.
Pour filling onto hot crust. Bake until filling begins to brown at edges and is just springy to touch, about 20 minutes. Cool completely in pan on rack.
Lift foil and dessert from pan. Gently peel foil from edges. Cut dessert into 16 squares. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Wrap tightly; chill.) Sift powdered sugar over squares; serve at room temperature.