Beautiful Rebecca is on Faces of Beauty today!
This past weekend I went on a shopping spree. Well, sort of. A shopping spree for me tends to mean that I go somewhere (in this case TJ Maxx) with the intent of buying a bunch of stuff. Then I find a bunch of stuff…great jeans, T’s, cardigans, bargain summer clothes…and inevitably walk out with nothing.
And by nothing I mean one kitchen item. And no clothes.
Hey, it’s what I do.
Y’all, is it normal that I would much rather wear ratty T-shirts and workout shorts and splurge on a gear-filled kitchen instead? That seems pretty normal to me, but Nate swears it’s not.
Hey, normal is boring 🙂 And I think I categorically say that I am NOT normal.
I mean that in a good way.
So yes, the food. I bought some mini tart pans and instantly considered my options with what I had on hand at home: banana cream pie, another tatin, perhaps an apple crumble…
Then I realized: one of my favorite desserts in the ENTIRE world (emphasis on ‘entire’) is lemon bars. So much so that when my mother-in-law remarried she asked for lemon bars the size of a grown man’s head at her reception. I still don’t know how I can ever repay her for that one.
It’s simple: rather than making the entire thing in a 9×13 pan like you would normally do you press the dough into a tart pan instead. And there you have it: glorified lemon bars. Hey, I think they deserve a lot of glory. There’s no need to worry about it being high enough on the edges as the butter (mmmmmmmmmmm, buttah) will make the entire thing slide down anyway. After baking off the crust you’ll have to take a measuring cup and press the crust up around the edges before pouring the filling in.
No big deal.
P.S. below is a picture of the microplane Nate got me for my birthday! I am so in love with that thing it’s not even funny…do you guys realize how much easier it is to grate stuff on these bad boys?!?!
Obviously lemons are involved. In case you couldn’t tell from my header I adore their bright, sunny color. They can bright up any
sugar-filled dessert day.
MINI LEMON TARTS (OR JUST ONE NORMAL-SIZED TART)
based on Paula Deen’s Lemon Bar recipe
- 1 cup flour
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 stick butter, room temperature
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup flour
- zest of 2 lemons
Preheat your oven to 350. Grease your tart pans (whatever size you choose) In a large bowl, crumble together the flour, powdered sugar, and butter. And yes, with your hands! There’s nothing quite like using your hands to mix things…it’s raw, primal, and a ton of fun. What’s not to love? Anyway, lightly press the dough into your tart pan(s) and bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until the crust takes on a golden brown color. Let cool slightly and, using the bottom of a measuring cup, press the dough up around the edges being careful not to break it.
While you’re baking the crust, mix together the eggs, lemon juice, sugar, flour, and zest. As soon as the dough has been pressed around the edges pour the lemon mixture in. Bake at 350 for about 15 minutes for mini tarts and for about 20-25 minutes larger tarts.
Feel free to sprinkle powdered sugar on top for good measure 🙂
I only made two, one for me and one for Nate, and I just about ate his several times. Good thing he came home to stop me, because his would have been GONE.
A girl only has so much self control, you know?
Too bad the next day I ate his without telling him. Oops 😉
Happy Tuesday guys! I have a surprise tomorrow…stay tuned!
You are so funny, Heather! I would have done the same thing, though! The lemon tarts look amazing- YUM!
holy hell. beautiful and delish. love a lemon bar/tart.
I keep forgetting that citrus is actually in season now. Man this looks good!
I’ve been known to nibble (secretly of course) on my husband’s treats when he’s not looking. 🙂 It’s what any foodie wife does.
HHEEELLLOOOO good lookin! Love me some lemon bars!
I have a love-hate relationship with shopping. I don’t know how many times I’m in the buying mood but end up with nothing in hand. And then there are the days where I don’t really have anything in mind and come away with a bunch of things!
i am in the same camp as you are – i would totally rather shop for my kitchen than shop for clothes!
i have that same microplane and it is the best thing ever!
I’m not particularly a lemon lover (aside from the aesthetics of course), but for some reason I’ve really been wanting lemon bars! This just put my craving over the top!
Out of all the things I have seen you make, THIS is what I will request upon our first meeting. 😉 LOL
I love lemon tarts. Yours look perfect.
I love lemon bars, lemon tarts, lemon cookies. All of the above, please!
Those are beyond cute!
I simply adore all lemon flavored sweets. Crazy as it sounds, I will choose them over chocolate any day.
And you are normal for wanting to buy kitchen items instead of clothes – that would make me normal too 🙂
I love lemon anything. It’s such a fresh flavor! These little guys are adorable!
Oooh love that these are in tart form. I absolutely love lemon in recipes. yummmm I also LOVE my microplane and use it almost everyday! 🙂
these are beautiful, Heather!!
you MUST blend dough with your hands… 😀
I love lemon desserts — so sweet and so refreshing!
those tarts look fantastic! And yes, it’s totally normal! 🙂
Heather, Wow your posts are great, I’ve only been subscribed for about a week now, and in that time I think I have received about six posts I think. You must be very busy. I really enjoy reading what you have to offer, keep em coming!!
Thanks
http://www.pantryblogger.com
Haha, I do the same thing when I go “shopping.” I usually end up buying a dish or mug or something kitchen related! Happy Tuesday!
How absolutely perfect are these for parties?! This look amazing. I love lemon tarts!
I don’t know why, but I’ve never been the biggest fan of lemon desserts. I think it’s because I live by the rule that every dessert should have a little chocolate and I don’t think lemon goes well with it… he he he
Lemon desserts make me smile =)
And I too love shopping in the kitchen section at Marshalls and TJ Maxx too!
Oh my gosh, these look SO good! I also sometimes make really good desserts and don’t share. Some things are too good NOT to keep to yourself.
i am the same way! i spend much more money on kitchen tools and food than i do on clothes:-)
Ha ha, I do the same thing while shopping! I love lemon and those look amazing!!
Oh, yum! Lemon bars are my favorite dessert, too!
Oh my! I LOVE lemon tarts! And lemon bars too 🙂
🙂
These are so cute! I don’t spend a lot on clothes, either. I’d rather buy books.
And, really, it’s more practical to buy groceries.
Looks amazing, that grater thingy is pretty cool!
I NEED to try this!! 🙂
I can totally relate to your tjmaxx experience!
Enjoy your Tuesday, sweets 😉 <3 Gina
I think you got it right Heather! This explains why I’m more excited to walk in a grocery store then a mall 😉
Haha…I always leave TJ Maxx with tons of kitchen stuff too 🙂 Totally normal!
These look divine!
I really love lemon bars too. These look so good!
I’m not a dessert person, but if I had to choose, I think lemon bars would be up at the top! I love the tart and sweet combo!!