Gourmet Lemonade

This was delicious. Really. No more Country Time mix for me. (Not that I have been drinking any of that lately anyways...)This recipe was adapted from one I found at Cheeky Kitchen.

Gourmet Lemonade Concentrate
3 c. fresh-squeezed lemon juice
2 3/4 c. sugar
Dash of ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond flavoring

In a saucepan mix 1 1/2 cups of the lemon juice and the sugar. No need to boil just heat until the sugar dissolves. Then add the nutmeg, vanilla and almond. You can store it in the fridge for a week.
To make the lemonade add three parts water for one part concentrate.
I also made the fun ice cubes she had on the website. I pureed strawberries and kiwis. I did not need to add any liquid to the puree.

Pumpkin Cookies

More dessert. It's been a great week for baking around here. :) This is my Mom's recipe. She used to make them for Stephen to take to school on his birthday. They were his favorite.

2 cups flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips (optional)
pecans

cream butter and sugar
add egg
mix dry together in a separate bowl
Combine butter mixture with dry mix and pumpkin.
Add chocolate chips and mix till evenly incorporated.
form cookies (about a tablespoon of dough each) top with a half of a pecan.
bake at 375 for 8- 10 min.

Lemon bars

Carla gave me this recipe. I always thought lemon bars were difficult to make. Not anymore. These are very easy to assemble and delicious to boot!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Crust:
1 cup butter
1 cup flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Give this a whirl in the food processor or blend with a fork.
press into a 9x13 pan
Bake crust in preheated oven for 20 min.

Topping:
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon cornstarch

Whisk eggs. Add lemon juice. Combine dry ingredients and then whisk into wet.

Pour over hot crust and bake for 20 -30 more minutes. When done Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cool for ten minutes. Loosen edge and cut bars.