Strawberry Blondes and Lemons ~ These easy strawberry blondes are moist and dense, (think fluffy shortbread) with plenty of little jam pockets thanks to a cup of fresh sliced strawberries in the batter. A touch of lemon gives strawberry bars a bright, refreshing look.
* Ingredients :
° 1 cup (2 sticks or 228 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
° 3/4 c (164 g) sugar
° 1 egg
° 1/4 cup (55 grams) fresh lemon juice
° 2 1/4 cups (306 grams) all-purpose flour (use the fluff/scoop/level method for measurement)
° 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
° 1/2 teaspoon salt
° 1 c (127 grams) diced strawberries
Glaze
° 1 cup (112 grams) sifted unsifted powdered sugar
° For 1 tablespoon of strawberry puree you will need about 2 large strawberries, instructions below
° lemon juice about 1 tablespoon, or just enough to reduce the glaze to a spreadable consistency
* Directions
Heat oven 350 degres f
Line a 9-inch square baking tray with parchment paper with long edges.This will help you lift the blondes so that they can be cut easier later on.
Beat the butter and sugar until the mixture is fluffy. Beat in eggs.When eggs are mixed, add the lemon juice. The lemon juice will probably not be completely incorporated at this point, that's okay.
Whisk flour, baking powder, / salt and add to wet ingredients, stirring to the dry flour disappears.Sweetly adding chop strawberries.Spread the mixture over the pan and spread as evenly as possible.The dough is thick, so it takes time.Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cake starts to brown around the edges and the center hardens.A toothpick inserted in the center will be damp, but not wet. Don't over-bake it, or it will dry out. Let it cool on the rack.Chop the strawberries with yeast and puree in a small food processor.Strain the puree through a small sieve to make 1 tablespoon of puree.Whisk the sugar, puree, and lemon juice until the lumps are gone.If it's too smooth, add more sugar.If it's too thick, add more lemon juice.Glossy varnish for blondes.Leave the coating translucent before cutting.
Enjoy !
