Lemon Velvet Squares

Lemon Velvet Squares

Ingredients :

2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter

1 tsp freshly grated lemon zest

1/2 tsp freshly grated navel orange rind

1 1/3 cups superfine sugar

3 large eggs

1/3 cup water

3 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

1 tbsp powdered sugar, for garnish

Directions :

Preheat your oven to 350 F and position oven rack on lower third of the oven. Butter a 13x9 inch baking pan.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Cut the butter into 1 inch pieces and place in a large bowl. Add in the lemon and orange rinds and mix on low speed until softened. Increase the speed to medium-high and mix until smooth and light in color. This should only take 1-2 minutes.

Add in sugar 1 tbsp at a time, taking 6-8 minutes to blend it well.

Add in eggs 1 at a time.

Decrease the speed to low. In a small bowl, combine water, lemon juice, and orange juice.

Add in dry ingredients alternating with liquids, dividing the flour mixture into 3 parts and the liquid into 2 parts. Start and end with the flour.

Mix until just incorporated after each addition.

Spoon batter into the prepared pan, smoothing with the back of a spoon.

Center the pan on the oven rack and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until cake is golden brown and springy to the touch.

Remove the pan from the oven and set on a cake rack to cool.

Before serving, place powdered sugar in a fine mesh strainer and dust on top of the cake. Cut into squares and serve.