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!

{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!