Lemon Bars

One of my dessert mainstays that most people really like. I got this from a very good friend who learned this from someone who learned this recipe from a box of cake mix! I got this recipe from Nerissa's self published 'zine "Apt. 3B- Vol. 1, No. 1 Summer 1996" ( p. 13) and have been baking it ever since! Thanks Nerissa!

Lemon Bars
The favorite of many and probably the easiest of recipes. I got this one from an old college roommate.

Ingredients:
1 box Lemon Cake Mix
I prefer Betty Crocker
8 oz cream cheese, softened
*Neufchatel cheese can be substituted/low fat
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup granulated sugar
Lemon extract (for flavoring)

Directions:
Preheat oven 325. In a medium mixing bowl, combine cake mix, oil and 1 egg. Mix until crumbly. Reserve 1 cup of the mixture (this will be used for the topping) and pour the rest in an ungreased 9 x 13 (or comparable) baking pan. Press firmly to the bottom to form a solid, thin layer. Place in oven and bake for about 15 minutes until bottom is lightly brown.

Mix cream cheese, sugar, second egg, and about 1 or 1 and a half tespoons lemon extract until creamy. Pour over baked layer, then top with remaining 1 cup of cake crumbs. Return to oven and bake another 10-13 minutes until cream cheese looks set. Remove from oven and cool. Cut into bars and serve. A tasty treat for cream cheese and lemon lovers!