Last week I finally got around to using about half a dozen limes that I bought on impulse the week before. I was not sure what I wanted to make with them but finally I settled on something that would require lime curd. I set onto the task of making some lime bars using an oatmeal cookie crust to cradle the lime curd. I was inspired by the cookie crust used by Momofuku Milk Bar and the lemon lime bars form Baked. I guess you could say the result could be their love child.
For the cookie crust you can either use store bought oatmeal cookies or you can make your favorite recipe for these. I do recommend that whichever you decide on it is preferable if they do not contain raisins as these will most likely char during the baking process and give your dessert a bad bitter taste.
Oatmeal Cookie Crust
Aprox. 1 1/2 - 2 Cups Ground Oatmeal Cookies
2-3 TBSP Butter
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Combine the ground cookies with the butter, adding the butter a little bit at a time until you can form the mixture into a firm ball.
Place the ball on a square 12" x 12" baking dish. spread the mixture on the baking dish forming a crust that is approximately 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
Place in the oven for about 5 minutes to set it. Remove from oven and allow it to cool.
Lime Curd (modified form Baked Lemon Lime filling)
11 Large Egg Yolks
3 Large Eggs
1 3/4 Cups Sugar
3/4 Cup Lime Juice
3 TBSP Lime Zest
1/2 Cup Butter (Cut into small pieces and softened)
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Put the egg yolks, eggs, sugar, lime juice and lime zest in a sauce pan. Whisk to combine and cook over medium heat whisking constantly for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens and heat bubbles start to appear. When done it should be firm like the consistency of frosting and the color will be an intense shade of yellow a bit lighter than the initial color of your egg yolks.
Remove from the burner and add in the butter and heavy cream and whisk until evenly distributed. Strain through a fine mesh sieve to remove any large pieces of zest, pouring it directly onto the oatmeal crust making sure that the curd is evenly distributed. Tap the baking dish lightly on the counter top to level the curd.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until your curd is set. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Once it reaches room temperature cover your baking dish with either a glass cover (if your baking dish has one), or plastic wrap (make sure to prop up some toothpicks strategically placed within along the lime bars to prevent the plastic from touching the lime curd). Leave in the fridge no less than 2 hours.
Once ready, cut, serve with a cup of your favorite coffee or tea.... and enjoy :)
