May first brings snow to Colorado. Margot and I walked around our neighborhood this morning. I bundled myself in the only coat that fits (a dirty white one) and stuffed my curls into a blue hat. As the snow fell, it melted almost immediately upon contact with the still warm concrete, and I thought about how fitting the weather felt to me.
Lucille Amelia is due in June. We are now in May. So this, conceivably, is our last month without a child. Her arrival feels so imminent on some days and then so distant on others. Just like snow falling on the first day of May, there are daily occurrences that make me feel as if Lucille (and summer) are months and months away. I wake up in the morning to myself and Ryan. We make our breakfasts quickly and quietly. We sit together, basking in what I can still only call love, before Ryan leaves for work and I leave to take Margot on a walk. How will a baby fit in this? And yet, I know she will. She’ll transform us, change us, grow us, until we can’t think about life without her. So many miracles occur from conception onward.
I don’t really mind snow in May. I think it serves as an apt reminder that we have very little control. The weather doesn’t listen to our arbitrary calenders (and I imagine that baby Lucille won’t listen to the due date we’ve set for her either). Both of these rebellions are okay, good even.
What I will do is celebrate spring regardless of what the temperature reads outside. These lemon berry bars are one way to accomplish my goal. I’ve loved lemon bars since I was in high school. My best friend’s mom would make them on special occasions, and I found myself capable of eating nearly half the pan. These lemon bars come from my favorite recipe (with a slight berry twist). Unlike some, these bars set beautifully. You don’t have to worry about the lemon custard making a mess when you cut your pan into squares. They held up well enough for my niece’s lunchbox, and even after sitting in the refrigerator for three days, these bars taste just as good as they did Sunday afternoon.
Intense lemon flavor is balanced by the sweetness of berries. I used raspberry jam in this batch, but strawberry jam would taste just as lovely. There’s room for adaptation.
Lemon Berry Bars
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
2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons)
3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup flour
1/3 cup raspberry or strawberry jam
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9 by 13 inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.For the crust: cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy 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. Chill for 10 to 15 minutes.
Bake the crust for 15 to 20 minutes, until very lightly browned. While crust is baking, make filling. The crust must be hot when filling is poured.
For the filling: whisk together the eggs, sugar, lemon zest, lemon juice, raspberry jam, and flour. Pour over the hot crust and bake for an additional 30 to 35 minutes, until the filling is set. Let cool to room temperature before slicing.Cut into squares and enjoy!
This looks absolutely Delicious 🙂 Yay for the baby countdown!
If there’s one thing in common about babies and Colorado weather, it’s that both are unpredictable 😉 I’m so glad you’re enjoying this time before baby Lucy arrives. There’s something wonderful about comfortable routine, but something even better about the arrival of something special to shake it up.
These lemon berry bars are beautiful, Monet – enjoy! 🙂
this looks crazy good… i love the touch of berries. wow, only 1 month left.. enjoy it.. your life will change for the better. 🙂
These are such gorgeous, delicate and delicious looking bars, Monet! I think you’re more ready for mommyhood than you realize. 🙂 So very, very excited for you both.
I love lemon bars too, and these sound divine! Wishing you a happy month (give or take) before baby.
I love the little berries on top!
I love lemon bars and these look delicious especially with the addition of berries!
I remember that last month waiting for my little princess (seems like yesterday). The anticipation…I couldn’t wait another day, it seemed. And then she was here. And now she’s about as tall as I am! Crazy how time flies. Your bars are so lovely!xx
Soooo close! Ah! and Lucille is such a pretty and charming name..love the old school-ness of it =)
These bars are making me salivate, I can just imagine it’s sweet tartness!!
Just one more month, how time flies! These lemon bars look delicious. Definitely a refreshing treat.
Monet,
This post brings out the essence of your best baking. I will enjoy finding out how some cinnamon spicing pecans give a different twist to this lovely dessert. Thank you.
I was terrified about how a child would change my wonderful and long-standing relationship with my husband. I really worried. However, when the baby comes it works out somehow. True, there are some changes and shifts in the relationship and it can take some adjusting. I think on the one hand, it is undeniable, you develop a love for your children that is different and in some ways exceeds the love for your companion (as difficult as that is to write in words…) but it also creates a special, unique bond between a couple because no one will look at you at certain moments and know exactly how you feel about that little person.
Hi Monet,
Your lemon bars are simply irresistible! I love lemon bars and have not made them in ages! Love it that you use berry jam over the top!
One more month, till you get to carry your little bundle of joy in your arms!
Take care!
This time must be so exciting! I can’t even imagine. I feel like I would both totally believe it was coming any second…and then also not at all.
I love all things lemony desserts and these bars look fabulous!
The addition of the jam in the filling is such a nice touch! Good luck with the baby countdown. Sending you good vibes! : )
Monet, beautiful pictures of your delicious Lemon-Berry-Bars – what a perfect way to welcome May and enjoy a bit of quiet time!
Have a wonderful Thursday – the package for you and baby is finally on its way and I sincerely hope that it will arrive as soon as possible – three of my girls enclosed drawings for Lucy and they were so happy sending their drawings together with the gifts all the way to you and Lucy! Hugs from all of us!
Oh my gosh I can relate. I am 3 mos behind you (just about) and am wondering all these same thoughts. In fact if my work doesn’t slow down at this rate I won’t even HAVE a nursery! But as they say it all works out and it is quite apparent you’re going to be a super mom and she’s going to be the star of your family. And well fed:) These bars look SOOO good. Hope you’re freezing some for those late night nursing sprees:)
What a beautiful blog you have, Monet! These pictures are gorgeous! I could lick my computer screen! ;o)
Thank you for stopping by my blog a few days ago! I appreciate the visit. I wish you a safe and healthy delivery next month. My own daughter was born in June as well. It’s a beautiful month to have a baby!
I hope you savory every bite of these. A pre-Mother’s Day treat 🙂
Forget all this snow we’re getting, these bars look awesome! A tart treat for you and Lucy. I can’t wait to see her beautiful, little face.
LOVE Lucy’s full name. So elegant 🙂
Happy Mothers Day my sweet friend, this is a perfect treat albeit all the snow you are getting. Stay warm!
So exciting! Best of luck as you approach baby’s birthday!
These bars look delicious. I am so excited that soon your little girl will be here. As the mom of four girls I can’t tell you how special your bond will be. She is a very lucky little girl to have you both as parents.
Your bars look fantastic! Enjoy the last stretch of pregnancy…it is such an exciting time…soon you will have a new little sweetheart to meet! <3
Monet, thank you so much for visiting my site and for your lovely comment. I am so glad to have found your beautiful blog as well. Your photography is incredible and your recipes look just as good. I can’t wait to read more! Congratulations as well as you look forward to your baby’s arrival! Blessings to you.
I can imagine how many delicious meals and sweets you’ll prepare for Lucy. You already have so many delicious recipes like this one 🙂
I just made these gluten free tonight and they are incredible. Also swapped raspberry for strawberry jam. So delicious. I made them for a friend’s birthday tomorrow and I’m sure she’s going to be thrilled. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
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These bars look incredible! what a delicious way to create your own little bit of spring even when it’s still snowy!
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Awesome lemon bars, much better and less expensive than the bars I usally get from whole foods. Chock full of win, Ina! And to the people that gave this one or two stars, go back to eating twigs and sharp rocks as you obviously don’t like anything that is delicous.
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