Strawberry Lemonade Bars

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Lemonade Bars

adapted from Annie's Eats

yields about 24-32 bars

Ingredients:

For the crust:

2¼ sticks (18 tbsp.) unsalted butter, at room temperature

½ cup sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

½ tsp. salt

For the strawberry lemon layer:

3 cups sugar

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

3 tbsp. lemon zest

¼ tsp. salt

3 cups strawberries, fresh or frozen, thawed

6 large egg whites

2 large eggs

1 1/3 cups freshly squeezed lemon juice

Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

*This recipe can be halved and baked in an 8 x 8-inch baking pan with a reduced baking time of 25-30 minutes for the strawberry lemon layer.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the butter and sugar. Beat on medium-high speed until smooth, 1-2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, mix in the flour and salt just until incorporated. Add the dough to the prepared baking pan. Press into an even layer over the bottom of the pan. Bake for about 25 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from the oven, maintaining the temperature.

While the crust is baking, make the top layer. Combine the sugar, flour, lemon zest and salt in a large bowl and whisk to blend. Puree strawberries and press through a fine mesh sieve, mashing with a spatula, to extract as much juice and pulp as possible, straining out the seeds. Add the egg whites and eggs to the bowl with the dry ingredients and whisk well to blend. Whisk in the strawberry puree and lemon juice until smooth.

Pour the mixture over the crust and bake until the center is just set and not longer jiggles when gently shaken, about 35-40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature. Cover and chill well in the refrigerator, at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, use the parchment paper to lift the bars from the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into bars. Dust the tops with confectioners’ sugar if desired.

Valentine Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Valentine Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

2 1/2 - cups confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)
1/2 - cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1/2 - cup + 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
1 - (12 oz) pkg chocolate almond bark, I prefer plymouth pantry
pretzels
valentine sprinkles

In a large bowl combine the confectioners sugar, butter, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix well to form a dough (you may need to add a bit more confectioners sugar).

Using a small cookie scoop to make the little balls. Scoop out one scoopful of peanut butter mixture and then break in half. Roll each half into one ball. (I found this to be the perfect size).

Sandwich each one between two whole pretzels. When all the balls are rolled and successfully sandwiched, stick the whole tray in the freezer for about 45 minutes.

Melt the chocolate almond bark in the microwave for 3 minutes on the defrost setting. Continue in 3 minute intervals until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

Remove the pretzel sandwiches from the freezer and quickly dip each half-way into the melted chocolate. Add festive sprinkles.

When you have finished dipping all the pretzels, return the tray to the freezer to set up completely. Store the peanut butter bites in the refrigerator until serving time.