I am thrilled to have my first post in three weeks be Secret Recipe Club, it's always my favorite week of the month in blog land. Each month when I receive my recipe assignment for SRC, I can't wait to visit the blog! I browse the recipes, read about the blogger and spend time deciding what recipe to choose. Normally it's the recipe that draws me in. Initially this month, it was the recipe for Lemon Pie Bars that I found interesting but it was the cookbook the recipe is from that sealed the deal. The recipe comes from The Back in the Day Bakery cookbook. Just recently, my best friends of 30 plus years and I were discussing when can we say "back in the day"? Ever since then, I find myself running across this phase being used in lots of different ways. These Lemon Pie Bars come from a blogger I follow, A Spoonful of Thyme. She takes beautiful photographs and posts delicious recipes.
Looking for a quick and easy summer dessert, give this recipe a try. The color is vibrant and the flavors tart and lemony!
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
12 Tbsp (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 Tbsp sugar
For the filling
1 cup heavy cream
2 tsp grated lemon zest
1 cup fresh lemon juice
Two 14 oz cans sweetened condensed milk
6 large egg yolks
Fresh whipped cream
Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 350° F. Grease a 9 X 13 inch baking dish and line with parchment, allowing the ends of the paper to hand over two opposite edges of the pan. (I also greased the parchment paper when it was in the dish.)
To make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, butter, and sugar and blend with a fork until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Press the graham cracker mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Use a piece of parchment to press on the crust with the palm of your hands to make sure it is completely level.
Bake the crust for about 8 minutes, until lightly golden. Let cool completely before adding the filling. Turn the oven temperature down to 325° F.
To make the filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, lemon zest, lemon juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks. Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
Place the baking pan inside a larger baking pan and pour enough hot water into the larger pan to come halfway up the sides of the smaller pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the filling is puffed at the edges and no longer jiggles in the center when the pan is tapped. Remove the pan from the water bath and set it on a rack to cool for 1 hour, then refrigerate until cold.
Cut the bars into squares and serve chilled, with the whipped cream. The bars will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.