Lemon Bar Trifle
When I was a new bride almost 50 years ago, my husband gave me a mixer for my birthday. The lemon filling recipe was in the small book that came with it. The tangy flavor always takes me back to those days of trying out recipes on my husband.
When I was a new bride almost 50 years ago, my husband gave me a mixer for my birthday. The lemon filling recipe was in the small book that came with it. The tangy flavor always takes me back to those days of trying out recipes on my husband.
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1-1/2 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 3 egg yolks beaten
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping thawed
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese softened
- 1 cup butter melted
- lemon layer:
- 1-3/4 cups cold water
- 2/3 cup lemon juice
- 4 teaspoons grated lemon peel
- cream cheese layer:
- Carbohydrate 102.008496088222 g
- Cholesterol 130.93291673867 mg
- Fat 33.6166658425236 g
- Fiber 2.1547687798355 g
- Protein 5.39371144964831 g
- Saturated Fat 15.928932309012 g
- Serving Size 1 1 servings. (164g)
- Sodium 564.086492774994 mg
- Sugar 99.8537273083866 g
- Trans Fat 2.17918037918775 g
- Calories 716 calories
Step-by-step
- In a small bowl, combine flour and pecans; stir in butter. Press into an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.
- In a small heavy saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and flour. Stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
- Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in the lemon juice, butter and lemon peel.
- Transfer to a large bowl. Cool to room temperature without stirring. Cover surface with waxed paper; refrigerate until chilled.
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Crumble the baked pecan mixture; set aside 1/2 cup for topping.
- Just before serving, in a 3-qt. trifle bowl, layer 1 cup each pecan mixture, lemon mixture and cream cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice. Sprinkle with reserved pecan mixture. Refrigerate leftovers.
A Taste of Yesterday: My Lemon Bar Trifle
The aroma of warm lemon and buttery pecans always takes me back. It's more than just a dessert; it's a trip down memory lane, a taste of simpler times, and a reminder of the enduring sweetness of love and family. This Lemon Bar Trifle isn't just a recipe; it's a story, woven into every layer, every delicate crumb, every tangy burst of flavor.
Fifty years ago, a simple kitchen mixer changed everything. It was a birthday gift, a gesture of love from my then-husband, now my lifelong companion. Tucked inside its box, nestled amongst the attachments and instructions, was a tiny recipe book, a treasure trove of culinary possibilities. This lemon bar recipe, the one I'm sharing with you today, was tucked away within its pages, waiting to be discovered.
It was an adventure, those early days of marriage. I recall the excitement of experimenting in the kitchen, the flour dusting my apron, the happy chaos of creating something new and delicious. My husband, ever patient and supportive, would patiently wait for each new creation, offering his honest and encouraging feedback. Those moments, filled with the sweet scent of baking and the comforting warmth of togetherness, were the foundation of our life together.
This trifle isn’t just a collection of ingredients; it’s a testament to those early days, a tribute to the simple joys of cooking and sharing with loved ones. The tangy lemon filling, so bright and refreshing, represents the zest for life we shared, the unwavering optimism that painted our days with sunshine. The buttery pecan crust, so wonderfully crisp, symbolizes the steadfast foundation upon which our marriage was built—strong, resilient, and enduring.
The layers of this trifle are more than just a culinary arrangement; they're the chapters of our life together. Each bite is a moment, a shared laugh, a tender memory, a quiet evening spent side by side, enjoying the fruits of our labor, the sweetness of our bond. This recipe is a gift of love, a piece of our family's history, carefully crafted and shared with you.
This Lemon Bar Trifle isn't merely a dessert; it’s a time capsule, a delicious journey back to the beginning, to the innocence of new beginnings, the excitement of shared dreams, and the enduring power of love. Every time I make it, the memories flood back, as sweet and vibrant as the lemon itself. And that, my friends, is the true recipe for happiness.
So, gather your ingredients, find your favorite baking dish, and let the aroma of this delectable treat transport you to a place where love, laughter, and the simple act of sharing a meal bring you joy. I invite you to create your own memories with this recipe, to share its sweetness with those you cherish, and to savor each delightful layer, for it is in these moments, in the shared experiences of cooking and eating, that we find true happiness.
The recipe is a testament to a simpler time, to the quiet moments of creating and sharing, and to the enduring power of love in the everyday. Make it, share it, and remember that the sweetest moments are often found in the simplest of things.
