Month: March 2009

As promised:
Lemon Bars, from a variety of sources, in all of their tart, creamy, sugary, crusty, lick-your-sticky fingertips goodness.

Quite Possibly the Best Lemon Squares Ever, from Anna Ginsberg of Cookie Madness and winner of the 2006 $1 million Pillsbury Bake-Off (thanks for the link, Trish!)
Lemon Bars from Paula Deen

Lemon Shortbread Bars from December 2006 Fine Cooking magazine
(they usually don’t post free recipes on their website – you have to have a membership – so this one is a BONUS!)
Perfect Lemon Bars from Cook’s Illustrated
Cook’s Illustrated operates the same way as Fine Cooking; they want you to buy a membership to access their recipes online. Click here for a free trial membership to their website, if you have, like, morals and stuff…or click here if you are feeling like a rebel and want the no-strings-attached version. I won’t tell if you won’t.)
By the way, if you’ve never read Cook’s Illustrated, I recommend trying it, at least once. The detail can sometimes be overwhelming, but they really go into the science (and testing) of why a recipe works well and work to create the very best version of whatever dish they are making. It’s like a less-humorous Alton Brown on steroids, but the recipes are sure-fire, never-fail winners.

Double Lemon Bars from July 1991 Bon Appetit magazine

Sour Cream Lemon Shortbread Bars from Nicole at Baking Bites

If you love ANYTHING LEMON as much as I do, then this post is just for you. I’ve recently done some culling through my recipe files, looking for a special lemon dessert for my grandmother’s birthday this weekend. My Granny loves lemon desserts as much as I do. Some of the recipes I’ve actually made before and some are in my “try soon” folder. I would be embarrassed to admit how thick my “try soon” folder is, but there are just SO MANY yummy recipes out there and I find more every day!
So, anyway…here’s a list of some highly-rated and recommended lemon desserts. Some are fancy, some are simple, some are easy, some are more complicated. They are from a variety of sources, but they all have something in common: luscious LEMON!!!

Lemon Pudding from April 2007 Gourmet magazine
(very cute and tongue-in-cheek!)

Ultimate Lemon Layer Cake, adapted from Cook’s Illustrated

Meyer Lemon Custard Cakes, from February 2009 Bon Appetit magazine

The Best Damn Meyer Lemon Cake from Saveur magazine

Lemon-Ginger Cake with Pistachios from April 2006 Bon Appetit magazine

Nathan’s Lemon Cake from May 2008 Cooking Light magazine

Lemon Meringue Cupcakes from May 2008 Food & Wine magazine
Lemon Icebox Cake from July 2008 Gourmet magazine
(yellow cake with tart lemon cream, topped with whipped cream and candied lemon peel)
Saucy Lemon Puddings (from my very own little bloggie – make sure you chop the lemon zest VERY finely!)
Lemon Custard-Filled Cake, from Betty Crocker
Lemon Spice Macaroons (scroll down a bit)
Barefoot Contessa Lemon Yogurt Cake with Blueberry Sauce
I decided that Lemon Bars (Lemon Squares, whatever you call them…) needed their own post, so check out the next post for SCADS of lemon bar recipes.
I could go on all day, but these are the best of the best that I found. I hope that you will try some. If you do, please report back to me!