Day 7 Of Rosie's Christmas Baking.

It is Day Seven of Rosie's Christmas Baking. Alas, I did not rest. Didn't work too hard though. Only made two things: Pecan Squares and Lemon Bars. First up, Pecan Squares:

My mise en place: 2 cups flour 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 cup butter, cut up 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 7.5 ounce package almond brickle chips 1 cup chopped pecans

I combined the flour and powdered sugar in a medium bowl.

And cut in the butter pieces with a pastry blender until crumbly.

I pressed the mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan.

And spread the mixture out. Baked for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Meanwhile, I made the topping.

Combined sweetened condensed milk with beaten eggs.

Added in vanilla.

Stirred in brickle chips.

Stirred in chopped pecans.

Poured over top of cooked base and baked at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until golden.

Here's the pan of Pecan Goodness.

Cooled and cut into squares. Next up, Lemon Bars!

For the crust: 3/4 cup flour 1/3 cup powdered sugar 1/2 teaspoon almond extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup toasted almonds, finely chopped 6 tablespoons, unsalted butter, chilled, cubed

I combined the flour, sugar, chopped almonds, and salt.

Whisked together, and added the almond extract.

I added in the butter, pieces at a time, working with my pastry blender.

I pressed the mixture into my prepared pan - an 8-inch square baking pan with foil.

I sprinkled with the reserved 3 tablespoons almonds over top of the base. Baked at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes, until edges were golden. Next, the lemon filling:

My ingredients: 1 cup sugar 1/4 flour 3 eggs 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoon lemon zest powdered sugar for dusting

I combined the sugar and flour.

Then added in the eggs, whisking.

Lemon juice went in.

And the zest.

Poured the mixture onto the cooked crust.

Sprinkled with powdered sugar, then returned to the oven to bake for 18-20 minutes, or until filling no longer jiggles in the center.

Cut into squares after cooled.

Lemon Bars!

I'm ready for my close up.