Chipotle Lemon Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter or margarine , chilled
• 0.5 cups confectioners' sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
• 0.33 cups apricot preserves , or preserves of your choice
• 0.5 teaspoons chipotle chile powder
• 4 eggs
• 1.75 cups white sugar
• 0.38 cups lemon juice
• 0.33 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons salt
• 0.33 cups confectioners' sugar for dusting
• 0.5 teaspoons chipotle chile powder

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9 inch square pan.

2. 2

   Combine 2 cups flour, butter, 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder in a food processor; pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press the mixture into the prepared pan.

3. 3

   Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until firm and golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool at least 20 minutes in the pan.

4. 4

   Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).

5. 5

   In a small bowl, whisk together the preserves and 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder; spread over the cooled crust. Whip eggs with a wire whisk until foamy. Beat in sugar, lemon juice, and salt until the sugar has dissolved. Sift together 1/3 cup flour and baking powder; whisk into eggs until smooth. Pour onto the preserve-topped crust.

6. 6

   Bake in preheated oven an additional 35 to 40 minutes, until the center of the egg mixture has set. Sift together 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar with 1/2 teaspoon chipotle powder, and sprinkle over hot lemon bars. Cool completely before cutting into bars.