L is for Lemon Bars

as spring begins to peek about

i long for a day in the garden

eating lemon bars

and sipping tea

Mim's Lemon Bars
(printable recipe)

(these were originally passed on to me from the mother of my good friend--i play around with the recipe a bit)

Crust

2 cups flour

1/2 cup powdered sugar

pinch of salt

1/4 tsp ground cardamom (optional)

1 cup unsalted butter--melted

Filling

6 large eggs

2 3/4 cups sugar

1 tsp baking powder

6 Tbs flour

2 tsp grated lemon peel

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

pinch salt

For Crust:  prepare an 8x8 pan by lining with aluminum foil allowing the foil to come up the sides and extend at least an inch.  lightly spray with pan spray.  mix all crust ingredients together and press into pan.  Bake at 350 until just starting to brown.  

For Filling:  In a mixing bowl, with the whisk attachment, beat all ingredients until pale and fluffy.  Pour over hot crust and bake about 20-25 minutes. Cool in pan and refrigerate at least 4 hours before cutting.  Sift powdered sugar over the top and serve chilled.

Variation:  Make 1 1/2 times the crust recipe and use 2/3 for the bottom of the bars.  To the remaining, add additional generous pinch of cardamom and 1/4 cup sweetened coconut.  After 15 minutes of baking, lightly sprinkle the topping onto the bars and cook until golden brown.

Hey! you know what else starts with the letter L? Limoncello

I did this post a long time ago...but think it is worth sharing, since we are celebrating

all things lemon. aren't we?

I am participating in alphabe-thursday over at 

jenny matlock

you should go check it out

and see what all the fun is about

this week

sponsored by the letter L

all bottled up

in italy

 this october past

i shared a meal with a truffle hunter

see my adventure here

and his family

in their home

and after we ate

a treat was served

 limoncello cream

which they made by hand

naturally

and i have been wanted to make my own

and

 as fortune would have it

i had a batch of limoncello steeping in my cupboard

just waiting for inspiration

Limoncello Cream
(printable recipe)

4 cups of lemon peel steeped in vodka or Everclear (after removing the lemon peel)

which is step 1 of my limoncello recipe you can find here

please note...you will need the lemon peels to steep for the specified time

4 cups whole milk

2 1/2 cups sugar

2 cups water

Place milk, sugar and water in a heavy saucepan.  Bring to a boil and remove from heat. Repeat the boiling process 3 more times.The repeated boiling minimizes the chances of the milk curdling when adding the limoncello. Remove from the heat and let cool a bit (maybe 5 minutes). Stir in the limoncello. Pour in sterilized bottles through a sieve using a funnel.  Let sit for a few days before drinking (a week is best).  

This tastes best cold, and I suggest storing in the fridge or freezer. 

I packaged these up to give as favors for a baby shower

cute, right?

the packaging possibilities are endless

which are just the way i like my possibilities