London Bars Recipes

LONDON FOG

Steps:

• Bring 2/3 cup water to a boil, remove from the heat and add 1 Earl Grey tea bag and 1/2 teaspoon dried lavender (optional). Cover and steep 5 to 8 minutes. Combine 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a mug; strain the tea into the mug and stir. Heat 2/3 cup milk with a frother; pour into the mug, spoon the froth on top and sprinkle with more dried lavender, if desired.

LONDON BARS

Steps:

• Cream butter in a large mixing bowl; gradually add 1/4 cup sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
• Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
• Stir in flour, blending well.
• Press mixture into a lightly greased 15 x 10 x 1" jelly-roll pan.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Remove from oven; cool in pan.
• Spread raspberry preserves over baked crust.
• Beat egg whites (at room temperature) in a medium mixing bowl until foamy.
• Gradually add remaining sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.
• Fold in vanilla.
• Spread meringue over preserves.
• Sprinkle with pecans.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Cool slightly; cut into 2 x 1-inch bars with a warm knife.
• Remove to wire racks to cool completely.
• Store in airtight containers.

SUGAR COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper, running it up the two long sides of the pan and letting it extend past the rim by about 2 inches.
• Make the bars: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing on low speed just until blended, about 1 minute.
• Using a spatula, scrape the dough into the prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake just until the edges are starting to turn light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the middle has moist crumbs, 20 to 25 minutes. (Do not overbake! The bars should be quite moist, and almost slightly underbaked in the middle.) Remove the pan from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Let cool completely. When fully cooled, remove the bars from the pan using the overhanging parchment paper.
• Make the frosting: Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup confectioners' sugar, beating on low speed until fully combined, then repeat with remaining 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Add the 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, the vanilla, salt and food coloring, if using, and beat on medium speed until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping down the sides halfway through, about 4 minutes. Add more milk if needed to thin out the mixture. Add lemon juice and vanilla to taste.
• Using a spatula, spread the frosting on top, then decorate with sprinkles, if using. Cut into 20 bars and serve.