Tuesday, June 30, 2009

strawberry lemonade bars...

when you get creative in the kitchen good things don't always happen:)  lucky for all of us this time the outcome was delicious!  it is no secret that i am in love with anything lemon!  but the strawberry in this really balances out the flavors.  i know the recipe is long, & it seems like a lot of steps, but they aren't hard at all.  they are perfect for summer or any other time!


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{strawberry lemonade bars}

~crust~
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups flour

in a large bowl, cream together butter, sugar & salt until light & fluffy.  add flour & mix until just combined.
line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper that hangs over the long sides.  spray parchment paper & sides with non-stick cooking spray.
press crust into the bottom of pan.  bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until just starting to turn golden.

~lemon curd layer~
8 egg yolks
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice

in a medium bowl whisk together all ingredients & pour over hot crust.  return to oven & cook for an additional 25-30 minutes.  chill in the fridge while making the next layer.

~lemon cream layer~
2- 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
grated zest from 1 lemon

1 pint strawberries, hulled & sliced

in a medium bowl, whip together all ingredients until thick & fluffy.  spread over cooled lemon curd layer.  arrange the sliced strawberries over the top of the cream layer.  place in the fridge to chill while making strawberry glaze.

~strawberry glaze~
1 pint strawberries, pureed in blender or food processor
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 TBSP corn starch

in a medium pot, over medium heat, combine strawberries & water.  in a small bowl, combine sugar & corn starch.  whisk sugar into strawberry mixture.  bring just to a boil, whisking constantly.  spread over sliced strawberries.  return to fridge to chill completely.
Enjoy!

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