Lemon Blossom Bars

[minxybaby]

This has to be our favourite holiday dessert. We make it year round too, but at Christmas time it's a must. If you like desserts like Key Lime Pie or Lemon Meringue Pie, you will love this. The bottom layer is a shortbread-like crust. The middle layer is a creamy, tangy, lemon custard. And the topping is a coconut meringue.

I use a lemon custard powder in the first layer to give it more lemon flavour and a yellow colouring. I use cornstarch when I am out of custard powder or when I feel like a more traditional shortbread-like crust.

This recipe came from my mom, but I don't know it's origin. I'm sure she wouldn't mind me sharing it. One of the joys of cooking is sharing your favourite recipes with friends.







Lemon Blossom Bars

Yield: 30 squares

INGREDIENTS FOR BOTTOM LAYER

3/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup icing sugar
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch or custard powder

INGREDIENTS FOR MIDDLE LAYER

1 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 egg yolks

INGREDIENTS FOR TOP LAYER

2 egg whites
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS

Cream the butter and icing sugar in a mixing bowl. Gradually work in flour and cornstarch/custard powder. Press into a greased 9" x 11" oblong pan and bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.

Mix the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and egg yolks. Spread on top of the cooked bottom layer.

Whip the egg whites until stiff. Gradually beat in the sugar and fold in the coconut. Spread over the filling and bake for another 15 minutes.

When cold, cut into squares or bars.

Note:
You can make your sweetened condensed milk if it is unavailable to you. I will post a recipe for that when I find mine and update this post with a link to it. My recipe (also from my mom) makes 1 cup.


Find my growing recipe collection here: Minxy's Recipes
It is updated as new recipes are posted.

Comments

[ex-autumnrai511.livejournal.com]

You're making me hungry lol

I love that you share recipes, I'm enjoying reading your journal :)

[ex-cosmorama534.livejournal.com]

I love key lime pie and lemon bars and coconut, so I'll have to try these one day.

[captivatedheart.livejournal.com]

I love the look of these. I'm going to come back and mem all of these new recipes tonight. I'm determined to make the perogies soon. :)

[fitfool.livejournal.com]

mmm...I'm drooling over here. I'd love to taste one of these.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

I wanted to mem this, but alas, your kind of sweetened condensed milk is nigh-impossible to get in my country. Hmm.

[minxy-baby.livejournal.com]

I just haven't had a time to post the recipe for sweetened condensed milk, but your comment reminded me. So here it is, it's quite simple. :)

Sweetened Condensed Milk
yield: 1 cup

1/2 cup milk powder
1/3 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons boiling water
1 tablespoon + 1 1/2 teaspoons melted butter

Combine all ingredients in a blender. Store in the fridge.

[monanotlisa.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Thank you!