Childhood Favorites Come Together



Oatmeal Lemon Creme Bars





My husband, Bill, and I were discussing childhood favorites last week.  One of his favorites was Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies and one of mine was Granma's Lemon Lush dessert.  We have many fond memories of both of these tasty treats.  Bill said, "Kris, wouldn't it be great if you could combine the two?"  "Great idea, Bill!" I said. 

I excitedly opened my laptop and entered "lemon oatmeal creme pie recipe" in my search engine.  Ahh Ha!  The top two results looked very promising and yummy.  I decided to try this one... Oatmeal Lemon Creme Bars.

Here's the recipe and pictures....

1/2 cup cold butter 

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix

1 egg

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

2 teaspoons grated lemon peel 

1/4 cup lemon juice (2 lemons)

 

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray the bottom of a 7"x10" or 8"x8"pan.

 

Zest two lemons.

 

Now juice the two lemons.

 

In a large bowl, cut the butter into the cookie mix.  Add egg; mix together. Press mixture into bottom of baking pan.

(TIP:  Flour your fingers to reduce stickage.)

 

 

Bake for 15 minutes.

 

 

While the base is baking...make the filling.

 

 

In a small bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, and lemon zest.

 

Spread the lemon creme over the baked crust.

 

 

Crumble the remaining cookie mixture over the lemon creme.

 

 

Bake 25 minutes or until light golden brown.

 

Now comes the hardest part of this recipe...

 

Cool for 1 hour; refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.

 

Yeah, now for the best part of this recipe...

 

Cut into bars. 

Eat one..eat another one...then another one...moan as you lick your fingers...

Store covered in the refrigerator.

 

 

This cookie bar puts a smile on my face.

 

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)

If you're happy and you know it, then your face will surely know it.

If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands. (clap, clap)

 

I'll stop now.  It was just another childhood favorite.  You can see more of my childhood favorites here.

 

What are some of your favorite things from childhood?