It's week three of getting to know Joy Wilson through her fantastic baking book and I wont divulge too many of my thoughts because week four is our final review, butI can honestly say, so far it's been huge fun. I'll be bummed when myself and the other awesome bloggers will no longer be able to exchange thoughts and ideas about making Joy's recipes.
This week was our free week, which meant we were allowed to bake whatever tickled our fancy from the list of one hundred toothsome recipes. Usually it would take me a while to choose, I'm a Pisces and someone once told me we are awful at making decisions.
I believe this to be true as it takes me forever to order in a restaurant unless it's a regular place I visit. This time though my decision had been made for me by the ingredients which were at my disposal.
I actually made these Lavender Lemon bars as soon as I received the book and I have been sitting on this post until now, free week to eject all of my pent-up lemon love for these bars. Around the time my book was delivered I had an abundance of Meyer lemons so when I saw this recipe I was stoked, citrus is a great friend of mine.
The bars were really good and I wouldn't hesitate to use this recipe again. Hell, I'd even just make the crunchy shortbread base to snack on if lemons disappeared from the earth.
The lavender was very subtle but I'm not sure if it loses it's punch after sitting for a while, anyone? I'd definitely add more next time around.
I used lavender in some caramels before and those were subtle also so it may just be the herb. Be careful not to over bake these bars or you'll end up with a lemon brownie, hey that's okay but you really want that squishy tart center.