After several weeks of bitter cold, we’re warming up in Colorado. Today, we walked through our neighborhood and the sun shone bright on our faces. Almost reaching 60 degrees, the temperature felt close to perfection. Especially considering we were in the single digits not too long ago. But isn’t winter like that? There are days or weeks when you think the bitter temperatures will never end, and then they do. The snow melts and the ice thins.
Lately, I’ve taken to the kitchen after the baby sleeps. Tonight I made another loaf of banana bread. Last night, these lemon poppyseed bars. Lu goes to bed early enough to allow Ryan and I to eat a simple dinner together, and then we’re off to our projects: baked goods, short stories, lamps, fox pendents….
I tasted my first lemon bar at the age of thirteen, and I can promise you that Lucy won’t have to wait that long. Lemon bars quickly became one of my favorite desserts, and I still believe nothing tastes better than a tart lemon bar on a spring day.
I hope everyone has a good start to this winter week. In the meantime, I’ll be here, dreaming and plotting for spring.
Poppy Seed Lemon Bars
Crust
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
8 tablespoons butter, cut into 8 pieces and softened
Filling
7 large egg yolks
2 large eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
Grated lemon zest from about 4 lemons
2/3 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 4 lemons)
Pinch salt
4 tablespoons butter, cut into 4 pieces
3 tablespoons heavy cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line an 8 inch square baking pan with foil. Grease well.
Process flour, confectioners’ sugar, salt, and poppyseeds together in a food processor to combine. Sprinkle the butter over the top and pule until the mixture resembles coarse sand. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer using the bottom of a measuring cup. Bake the crust for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk the eggs, egg yolks, and sugar together in a medium saucepan. Then whisk in lemon zest, salt, and lemon juice. Add the butter and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 5 minutes. Take off heat and stir in cream. Pour filling over warm crust and bake until the filling is shiny and the center jiggles only slightly when shaken (about 10 to 15 minutes).
Allow the squares to cool completely in the pan, about 2 hours. Remove bars, cut, and sprinkle with additional confectioners’ sugar, if desired.
Oh mine! What a beautiful post. Great photography! Delicious bars! 🙂 ela
These bars are too perfect. Such a nice recipe!
I normally don’t mind the winter but this one has just been crazy – I’m ready for some slightly warmer temps! These bars look delicious Monet – I only started to like lemon in desserts within the last few years so I feel like I need to make up for lost time : ) haha I love that there are poppy seeds in there!
I’m so jealous of your nicer weather!!! And these bars are simply gorgeous! so lovely 🙂
These bars are beautiful! I love the contrast of cool white dotted with seeds and the warm, bright lemon. Little Lu is in for a treat when she tries one!
I’ve been keeping tabs on the CO weather (my father lives there) and I’m quite jealous at your 60 degree weather 😉 I hope you get lots of pleasant time outside!
Mmmm…I love the look of your lemon bars, I love poppy seeds in baked goods too, looks so yummy!
Oooo! Luscious lemon. Love these. It’s not yet that warm here but these will definitely make me think of the spring! Have a great week 🙂
Warmer weather? Can I move with you pretty please?? :”) These bars do look wonderful. Lemony desserts are my favorite thing, and I love how they’re so summery too!
The weather here is kind of spring-like as well. At least the sun isn’t cold anymore.
I really love lemon bars. They surely are one of my favourtite foods as well. And the addition go poppy seeds sounds amazing!
I cannot resist a good lemon bar! Especially with poppy-seeds included! That looks so good!
Lucy is a lucky girl 🙂 And it was the same with weather over here. It’s like a Spring already. I love the idea of lemon bars. i made some yesterday and I want more, so I’ll try out your recipe very soon.
Lemon and poppyseed are such a natural combination. And yet this is the first I’ve heard of combining them in a bar. Genius.
A real call for Spring with the yellow color and all…
I think the first time I tried a lemon bar I was over 30 years old, so there you go… better late than never?
Poppy seeds in the crust? What a great idea! I can just imagine how good their subtle crunch must be. 🙂
Monet,
Lemon and Poppy seeds are are a great combo, and I’ve not had them in a lemon bar until now. Your bars are gorgeous. My hubby who loves anything lemon will love these lemon bars with the poppy seeds as well. I’ll have to make these for him soon.
These are definitely screaming spring. I love the poppy seed crust.
We’ve went till now without any snow here and strangely it feels like full spring in bloom. Having said that, poppy seeds and lemon go so well together, and these are just gorgeous!
I love lemon bars too. What a fun twist to add poppy seeds, they make them look so pretty!
These bars are extra pretty in color and look and they have to smell just the best ever. I wish I had a big pile of these bars right now, super yum.
Lemon bars are one of my very favourite desserts too, but I love anything lemon poppyseed and I love that you combined the two! I hope our weather warms up here some time soon, but I think that’s still a while away 🙂 In the meantime I should make these bars while I wait!
Lucy is one lucky little girl to be able to taste lemon bars and all kinds of deliciousness from you! The poppy seed is simply brilliant, Monet!
Your lemon bars look delicious!
Monet, very pretty and delicious Poppy Seed Lemon Bars – we love lemon in our desserts and we love poppy seed too – who could resist a perfect dessert bar like this?! I would love to have a taste right now – a bit of a taste of fresh lemon in the morning never hurt.
Love the idea of bars with poppy seeds in the crust!
Love that you added poppy seeds to the crust! And I’m like you, Logan won’t be waiting long to try sweet treats.
my goodness. i’m a massive lemon fiend and i love the colour of these. the poppy seeds are a nice addition as well. gorgeous x
These lemon bars had to of warmed up your day! Brilliant idea with the poppy seed layer.
This is such a unique take on the classic lemon and poppyseed cake! I love it!
Poppy seeds? Lemon? Two of my favorite things! This look wonderful — thanks.
Love that you added poppy seeds to your crust! Lemon bars are the BEST! I think Lucy will agree 🙂
I love lemon bars – I could eat them endlessly! 🙂 Yours look so delicious, and those poppy seeds in the crust are too cute!
Oh my gosh – these are GORGEOUS. I love how pronounced the poppyseeds are! And the bright yellow; amazing. These bars are my favorite thing I’ve seen this week!
I love how bright yellow and super lemony these are, Monet. I wants them! Putting poppy seeds in the crust is pure genius – so pretty, too. Also, that blue pastry stand is the cutest thing in the whole world – aside from your baby and my cat, of course! 😉
These bars are gorgeous!
These look really good! Fresh, light and amazing! YUM!