Chewy Glazed Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
These Chewy Glazed Peanut Butter Bars are the result of a recent baking session, inspired by a recipe I had tucked away in my files. It’s allegedly representative of a popular treat served in San Diego’s public schools in the 70s and 80s, but I’m just the messenger, here. And funny enough, the end result reminds me a little of my browned butter blondies recipe in the new book, which I’m telling you is worth the cover price all by itself, but that is neither here nor there. These bar cookies are a celebration of everything a peanut butter lover could want—big peanut flavor, mellow chew, brown sugary sweetness, and a sparkle of salt. Bonus points: they are sturdy and perfectly packable celebratory treats for the lunch boxes of deserving children who are (really, already?) wrapping up the school year.
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Lemon Bars
After being in league with a bountiful table of meat and more meat, vegetables glistening with butter and seven types of starchy carbohydrates, holiday desserts should probably be an exercise in balance. Then again, holidays like these are really the only time that one can legitimately have dessert with their dessert. But something lighter, cleansing, after the first dessert course. A "side dessert", if you will. Pumpkin pie is a must in most circles, but even the most delicious wedge topped with a bulb of whipped cream can seem one-dimensional after consuming so many different flavors during the main part of the meal. Since I volunteered for dessert duty this holiday season, I opted to serve my pumpkin pie with a side of lemon bar.
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Strawberries and Cream Bars
Pssst. You guys. Come here. Like, closer; I don't want to jinx anything.
Because I think we've done it--I think we've finally gotten over the hump. Which is to say that winter might just be gone for good, and we're really, actually reveling in spring. At least, I hope we are, if not for my own sanity then for the life of the poor magnolia tree that bloomed in my neighbor's yard during the last week of March and then shivered to death during a two-day snowfall four days later. I was braced for a harsh winter this year, but I had forgotten all about the super charming Sybil quality of midwestern spring. But like I said--fingers crossed, here--I think we're in the clear. And now, if we get another blizzard the first week of May, you know who to blame.
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