Lemon Bars

This is one of my mom's favorite treats.

Crust:

1 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. powdered sugar

2 c. flour

Dash of salt (only if you use unsalted butter)

Combine all ingredients and mix well. I use a pastry blender for all my crusts to make them extra soft and flaky. Press into an ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes of until lightly browned around the edges.

Filling:

4 eggs

2 c. sugar

1/4 c. flour

6 Tab. lemon juice

Beat eggs in a mixing bowl. Combine flour and sugar and add to eggs. Add lemon juice and beat until smooth and fluffy. Pour over slightly cooled crust. Return to oven and bake for 25 minutes or until set. The top will look golden brown. Do not over cook! Dust with powdered sugar while it s still warm. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Lemon Blossoms

This is a Paula Dean recipe that was passed on by Bonnie Benjamin. They are so good! I could drink the glaze.

18.5 oz. pkg. yellow cake mix

3.5 oz. pkg. instant lemon pudding mix

4 large eggs

3/4 c. vegetable oil

Glaze

4 c. powdered sugar

1/3 c. fresh lemon juice

Zest of 1 lemon

3 Tab. vegetable oil

3 Tab. water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two mini muffin tins with vegetable oil cooking spray.

Combine cake mix, pudding mix, egg, and oil; mix well. Drop small amounts of batter, filling each muffin tin only half way (important). Bake for 12 minutes (less if using dark non-stick pans). Turn out onto a tea towel.

Glaze: Sift sugar into a mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, zest, oil and water.Mix with spoon until smooth.

Use your fingers to immerse the cupcakes into the glaze while they are still warm, covering as much of the cupcakes as possible.

Place on a wire rack with waxed paper underneath (to reduce clean up time) to cool and set. Store in an airtight container.

If you think they are good the first day, wait for tomorrow. . . if you can.

Individual Cheesecakes

I recently made these delicious treats for my family for Valentine's Day and again for New Beginnings. They are so yummy and beautiful.

Crust:

1 c. graham cracker crumbs

1 TB. sugar

4 TB. unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

2 - 8 oz. pkgs. of cream cheese (I tried nuefchatel and it works great too)

2/3 c. sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/2 c. sour cream

Garnish with your favorite fresh fruit, or drizzle with melted chocolate, caramel or fruit sauce.

Place rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300 degrees. Line muffin tins with strips of parchment paper or cupcake liners.

In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar, then pour melted butter over and mix with a fork. Press about one tablespoon of crumbs into each cup. Place in the refrigerator to firm up with you mix the filling.

It is very important that all of your filling ingredients be at room temperature before mixing! Beat cream cheese with a mixer until nice and smooth. Add sugar and beat on low until incorporated. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each one. Don't forget to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure every little bit is thoroughly mixed. Add vanilla and sour cream and mix until incorporated.

Pour filling evenly into crusts. The recipe claims to make 12, but I always seem to get more out of it. You can fill these almost to the top because they don't expand much while baking. Bake for 18-20 minutes. They will be firm, but the centers will still wiggle a little.

Remove from oven, and let cool on a wire rack. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate a few hours or over night. I leave mine in the muffin tin. Run a knife around between the liner and cup to make them easy to remove. Peel off wrappers to serve. Garnish and enjoy!

Banana Bars

I got this recipe from my MIL. :) (Sorry about the sad pic)

1/2 c. unsalted butter (softened)

1 1/2 c. sugar

2 eggs

3 ripe bananas (mashed)

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

3/4 c. milk

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Then beat in eggs. Add bananas and vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture alternately with milk. Pour into a well greased 10x15 in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Frost with cream cheese frosting.