Jan302010

Minty Lemon Bars

Filed under Dessert by Anna at 12:32 PM on Jan 30 2010

Today when I was strolling on the Santa Monica FM I was amazed with the beauty of all the produce, and it’s not even spring yet.  The zucchini blossoms and the artichokes they look out of this world.  What I love about my neighborhood is I walk a few blocks and I get to the Market and the beach is just a stone threw away, for me this is priceless. I was snapping pictures the whole morning,(you can see it here) and talking with the farmer’s, some of them with precious information’s about their products. The lemons stand smelled amazingly fresh, I couldn’t resist. Got myself a bag full of delicious fresh lemon and then of course came the question: “Now what?” What can I do with those babies? Of course! Lemon Bars,  I absolutely love lemon bars by I have to admit I was always a bit scared to try to make my own, somehow It looked like a difficult thing to me. I was so wrong they actually are not difficult at all.  And to put my own spin on it I put some mint leaves with the sugar.  Hum… those made me think about mojitos, are you thinking about mojitos too? No? It’s all right, I’ll think for both of us. Enjoy my minty, lemony lemon Bars.

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Minty  Lemon Bar

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

For the filling:

  • 6 extra-large eggs at room temperature
  • 3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup of mint leaves
  • 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 cup flour
  • Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Combine the flour and salt and, with the mixer on low, add to the butter until just mixed. Dump the dough onto a well-floured board and gather into a ball. Flatten the dough with floured hands and press it into a 9 by 13 by 2-inch baking sheet, building up a 1/2-inch edge on all sides. Put in the freezer for 15 to 20 minutes. Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. Let cool on a wire rack. Leave the oven on.

For the filling, first put the sugar and the mint in the food processor and pulse until well combined. Whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, and flour. Pour over the crust and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature. Cut into rectangles and dust with confectioners’ sugar.


27 Responses to “Minty Lemon Bars”

  1. 1 MaryMohon 30 Jan 2010 at 2:20 PM

    I wonder who can resist this. It looks irresisitibly good. I love lemon and I can eat a few pieces of these…..mmmm

  2. 2 Chef Wanabe » Minty Lemon Bars Lemon Meon 30 Jan 2010 at 2:49 PM

    [...] here:  Chef Wanabe » Minty Lemon Bars tags: absolutely-love, bit-scared, close-together, delicious-fresh, lemon, little-citrus, [...]

  3. 3 Annaon 30 Jan 2010 at 3:01 PM

    Thanks Mary, It’s a shame we are that far, it would be lovely to share them it you. ;-)

  4. 4 Divinaon 30 Jan 2010 at 4:44 PM

    That’s what I love about too if I were to choose where to live – the farmer’s market and the beach. Love the photos you took. Lemon bars are always welcome as well as a mojito. We can have some at the beach. :)
    Divina´s last blog ..Ten in 10 Challenge: Week Five My ComLuv Profile

  5. 5 Annaon 30 Jan 2010 at 5:20 PM

    Hi Divina, now we are talking. … Mojitos on the beach! Just come I’ll provide the Mojitos. ;-)

  6. 6 Noelle@Opera Singer in the Kitchenon 30 Jan 2010 at 7:24 PM

    These sound and look so good. I had a mojito today! Mint, rum, sugar, and seltzer water over ice. Made me want to have one these with that drink!

  7. 7 Ericaon 31 Jan 2010 at 6:35 AM

    Wow! Anna, I love those pictures……What a beautiful place! I am here in CT with this COLD weather!!! I hate it!

    Those lemon bars look delicious. I love lemon desserts.

  8. 8 M.on 31 Jan 2010 at 9:15 AM

    I recently found your blog and love reading it. I’m not sure about blog etiquette regarding “awards” and such, but I’m passing one along to you via mine (with a link) so that other people can also find and love it!

  9. 9 Annaon 31 Jan 2010 at 11:27 AM

    Thanks Erica, pack your home and move to California. It would be grate to have you here. ;-)

  10. 10 Annaon 31 Jan 2010 at 11:28 AM

    Hi Noelle, Mmmm Mojitooooos, I need to make some. ;-)

  11. 11 Annaon 31 Jan 2010 at 11:30 AM

    Thanks M I’m honored, Loved your blog, the template is great. :-)

  12. 12 Simply Lifeon 31 Jan 2010 at 11:54 AM

    Oh I’m loving the addition of mint to this – so fresh and flavorful!
    Simply Life´s last blog ..Slow Cooker Beans and Rice My ComLuv Profile

  13. 13 Patricia Scarpinon 01 Feb 2010 at 3:27 AM

    What a fresh, wonderful twist on one of my favorite things in the whole world – these bars look delicious!

  14. 14 Kim from Stirring the Poton 01 Feb 2010 at 6:22 AM

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog! You really have a great blog going on here. I would love to go to the Santa Monica farmer’s market, you’re so lucky! The minty lemon bars look delicious!
    Kim from Stirring the Pot´s last blog ..Long Boy Burgers My ComLuv Profile

  15. 15 Julianaon 01 Feb 2010 at 12:00 PM

    Anna, I love lemon bar and never had with mint…sounds and looks delicious…will definitely try ti…great mix of flavor :-) Great pictures as well!

  16. 16 kristyon 02 Feb 2010 at 2:28 AM

    Hi Anna, I think I’ve missed out a couple of your postings. I’ll try to catch up later after this. I think the FB site is a mess! The only good thing about it is we don’t need to send out our posts. Btw, this lemon bars sound terrific. You’re making me mouthwatering!
    I’m sure the place where you’re live now is absolutely stunning. Will stop by to the photos in a moment. Have a nice day. Cheers always!
    Best wishes, Kristy
    kristy´s last blog ..Black Pepper Cheese Stick My ComLuv Profile

  17. 17 Su-Linon 02 Feb 2010 at 5:09 AM

    I’ve always made plain lemon bars but I love the sound of the mint in it too. Fresh, minty!
    Su-Lin´s last blog ..Khao Mok Gai – A Thai Biryani My ComLuv Profile

  18. 18 Annaon 02 Feb 2010 at 10:59 AM

    Thanks Patricia, your chocolate creme brulee looks gorgeous. :-D

  19. 19 Annaon 02 Feb 2010 at 11:10 AM

    Thanks Kim, :-)

  20. 20 Annaon 02 Feb 2010 at 11:22 AM

    Hi kristy, good to have you back, I knoooow! FB sucks lately, I thought I was the only one upset with the changes, it’s a mess and sooooooooo slow, you try to go to blogs and it takes forever, every action is a eternity to complete. What’s going on? Somebody else should make a new site for us. One that actually works. But where are the geeks when you need them? LOL.

  21. 21 Andreaon 02 Feb 2010 at 1:28 PM

    Okay, first of all, stop bragging about the Santa Monica FM. Some of us are stuck in frigid weather in, say, NYC ;-) But seriously, I love lemon bars, and you are a flippin’ genius to add mint. Really.
    Andrea´s last blog ..Butternut Squash Quesadillas with Leeks and Feta My ComLuv Profile

  22. 22 Annaon 02 Feb 2010 at 1:41 PM

    Hahahaha! I’m sorry Andrea, don’t hate me because I live in La la la land, I can’t help bragging, it’s all so new and shiny for me. But for the record I miss some of my favorites spots in NY, but you can’t have everything right? :-D

  23. 23 Lorion 02 Feb 2010 at 4:33 PM

    Beautiful bars and beautiful photos! It sounds like such a great location. I love my first winter back in the States including the snow, but I wouldn’t mind experiencing what you have there for while. Zucchini blossoms in Dec?! :)
    Lori´s last blog ..January in Food My ComLuv Profile

  24. 24 Annaon 02 Feb 2010 at 5:26 PM

    Hi Lori, I know isn’t that crazy? I loooooove it. Come, move to California we can be BFFs. ;-)

  25. 25 sweetlifeon 03 Feb 2010 at 12:37 PM

    OMG these look so lovely, I love lemon bars with the addition of mint fab!!
    Great pic

    sweetlife
    sweetlife´s last blog ..Sweet Life Loves Strawberries – Fresh Strawberry Dressing My ComLuv Profile

  26. 26 Alinaon 22 Feb 2010 at 2:40 AM

    I love this creamy, smooth filling you made. I’ve never tried making lemon bars like that (we usually bake a 2-crust pie), but I’ve always wanted to try! Your pictures are so fresh and crisp – which makes me crave for something refreshing and citrusy even though it’s still winter over here:)
    Alina´s last blog ..Almost Valentine’s Milk Shake My ComLuv Profile

  27. 27 Annaon 22 Feb 2010 at 3:01 PM

    Thanks Alina, I was a bit scared to make the lemon bars,I don’t know why… but turns out it was easier than I thought. My hubby took to his job and it was a hit. Now they all the time want me to make it again. :-)

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