The first time I had an Apt. 2B Baking Co. creation was at a picnic in Prospect Park (yep, the same as this one — it was a very gastronomically exciting day) on the kind of Brooklyn day that would be so welcome right about now — one of those rare, early summer New York days that is neither stiflingly humid nor oven hot, but breezy, just warm enough, and brilliantly sunny. Yossy’s sour cherry pie bars were kind of like if all that weather got baked into dessert — a touch of sunny warmth from a buttery crust and a craggy landscape of crumble topping, but filled with a cool, bright tartness from the sour cherries. They were thoughtful, in that they were portable and perfect for sharing at a picnic, impeccably seasonal, in that they capitalized on that elusively brief sour cherry season, and totally delicious, in that they were totally delicious. So it should be no surprise that Yossy’s beautiful new cookbook, out as of last Tuesday, is full to the brim of recipes just like that one — thoughtful, seasonal, and totally delicious.
Sweeter Off the Vine is so rich, from Yossy’s cheerfully wide-latticed signature pies, baked until burnished deep brown and crackly with turbinado sugar, to craggly old-fashioned donuts and shimmering upside-down cakes, charmingly bright pink glazes and jewel-like jams, that, like Elizabeth, I was a little stumped over what to make at first, especially in this slightly purgatory-like state between winter and spring. In the end, I chose these sunny lime bars, even if slightly off-season, in part because I’ve been meaning to make some kind of key lime bar or pie for years, and in part because they felt like they would be just as welcome on a Prospect Park picnic like the one from a few years ago. Either way, I couldn’t be more glad that I went with these, because they are everything I hoped they’d be.
The shortbread crust is perfectly sweet and buttery, and the filling comes together with a quick whisk but turns meltingly silky and smooth, with enough pucker to be lively but enough sweetness to be gentle (and totally addictive). Yossy’s iteration uses Rangpur limes, which sounded magical but proved out of my grasp, but the best part of these is that the saffron it calls for adds all the mysterious flair that you might imagine from Rangpur limes to plain old supermarket Persian ones. (Plus, the saffron turns the bars the prettiest bright, sunny orange.) It’s a subtle warmth, and not one that I would have ever thought to pair with lime, and that’s what makes talents like Yossy’s so special — that a flavor pairing like this one is just enough to add a little something extra that only highlights, rather than obscures, the appeal of a picnic classic. If you try them, I have a feeling you’ll love them just as much as I did. So happy to have this book gracing my shelves, Yossy!
Lime bars with saffron
Reprinted with permission from Sweeter Off the Vine, by Yossy Arefi (2016, Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC).
Ingredients
- for the crust:
- 1 cup (125g) all-purpose flour
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
- for the filling:
- 1/4 tsp saffron threads
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 2 tsp Rangpur lime zest (substitute Persian or key limes if needed)
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (120ml) Rangpur lime juice (or Persian or key lime juice)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
- to serve:
- 2 tbsp confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
- Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350F (180C). Line an 8-inch square baking pan with foil and butter the foil.
- To make the crust: Whisk the flour, sugar, cornstarch, and salt together. Add the butter and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well combined. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. Use a mortar and pestle to grind the saffron threads with a pinch of the sugar to a fine powder, then stir in 1 tablespoon of boiling water to bloom.
- Add the rest of the sugar and the lime zest to a medium bowl. Rub the zest into the sugar until well combined and fragrant. Stir in the cornstarch and salt. Whisk in the eggs, followed by the lime juice, the saffron threads and their liquid, and the butter until well combined.
- When the crust is finished baking, turn the oven down to 300F (150C). Pour the filling over the hot crust and return the pan to the oven. Bake until the filling is set but still slightly wiggly in the center, about 20 more minutes. Cool the bars completely in the pan, then lift the bars out of the pan, using the foil as handles. Cut into any shape you like and dust with confectioners’ sugar just before serving. Store the bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days.
Notes
Instead of foil, I used parchment paper, which worked just fine.
Erica
You just completely convinced me – I just clicked “purchase” on Amazon for the book! I’m so excited to bake from it now. I’ve been trying to bake and cook with more seasonal ingredients and Yossy’s book sounds like the perfect inspiration!
Your bars could not look more summery and picnic perfect! I always love seeing your photos 🙂
tworedbowls
YAY! You will absolutely love it, especially for baking seasonally. And thank you so much for your kind words, Erica — they always brighten my day.
Fernando @ Eating With Your Hands
So scrumptious!
tworedbowls
They really were!
Tori
Omg, I’m so excited about Yossy’s book and it’s so cool that you’re sharing one of her recipes!
tworedbowls
It was so much fun baking from her book — you’ll love it!!
Su (Suvelle Cuisine)
Oh my… I’m sure these lime bars are just heaven in the mouth, they look absolutely delicious.
tworedbowls
Thank you! They truly were spectacular, all thanks to Yossy!
Amanda | What's Cooking
Saffron and lime, what a combo. I’m loving your photos. Each one makes me crave a day like your prospect park day. Sunshine in a bar. Lovely review. Some talented recipe writing cooked by a very talented lady! Win win.I hope you’re doing well.
tworedbowls
You always make me smile, Amanda — thank you so much for your kind words. I agree, saffron and lime is such a crazy cool combo! I hope you’re doing well yourself, and getting home at a decent hour!
Fork on the Road
I love lime, and have been experimenting with saffron – so I have some on hand. I’ll have to give these a go.
Lovely photography and clear instructions as always.
Thanks.
-Glenn K.
tworedbowls
You will love them if you do! Thank you so much for the kind words, Glenn.
Ellie | Hungry by Nature
oooo I love the saffron in this!
tworedbowls
It was my favorite part! 🙂
xoxobellablog
Yummy yummy, this looks so good!
http://xoxobella.com
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
These pretty bars just scream summer to me! Love 🙂
Considering The Radish
Such a smart and lovely update on my childhood favorite, the lemon square. I can’t wait to check this book out.
Sara @ Cake Over Steak
That picnic was such a treat, and I’ll never forget what it’s like to taste a pie made by Yossy. These lime bars are gorgeous, and I can’t wait to bake more out of my copy of her book! It’s a true gem.
Linda
these are a total wow! might see sour cherry pie bars in the future? 🙂 they sound heavenly too.
sweetteasweetie (@SweetTSweetie)
Yum! Those sound amazing!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Betty@YummyWorkshop
Love lemon bars, these are so beautiful with saffron!
HapaNomNom
I’m such a fan of tart desserts but I can honestly say I’ve never had anything quite like this! The flavor combination of lime and saffron sounds absolutely incredible! If this recipe is any indication (and I’m certain it is), the cookbook must be genius!
whiskandshout
I am buying this book like, right now. No joke- convinced! I love the mood of your pictures and it was lovely to see your take on this gorgeous recipe. I love citrus and saffron together! Pinning 🙂
Sini | My Blue&White Kitchen
These look so incredibly delicious and sophisticated! Lime and saffron? Maybe not that usual of a flavor combination but now that I saw it written down and imagined it, it sounds perfect and makes so much sense. Hello spring, hello sunshine, hello lime bars with saffron!
Yay for all the glorious and inspiring stuff Yossy creates including this book!
Sabrina
I love lemon bars, but these are such a fantastic variation!
E
The vibrant colours smack of spring. Perhaps I’ll take the plunge and splurge on some saffron. A lovely post as always, Cynthia!
gfron1
Can’t wait to try this. I want to try working pistachio into the crust. This it will work?
tworedbowls
Yes, I think that would be fine! I can’t say for sure because I haven’t tried it, but I think simply adding the chopped nuts would work well, or if using pistachio meal, perhaps swapping up 1/4 of the flour with pistachio meal. I’d love to hear how it goes!
Lyndsay // Coco Cake Land
Been seeing so much good stuff about this book! Can’t wait to check it out! These lime bars with saffron … ohhhhh citrus anything has my heart… so beautiful and delicious looking, Cynthia! xo
Vivian
Hello,
I hopped over via ^^olly yeh…what a find you are! You are a true artist, your photos are painterly, your words captivating.