Triple Citrus Bars

On my citrus kick...  I guess I just feel summer coming and can't resist it!  Everything I have ever made form America's Test Kitchen has been great.  So, I figured I would try these.  A little different than your average lemon bars or key lime bars.  Well, they are to die for!  They are for the citrus lover only.  The crust is crisp and delicious and the citrus is perfectly tart and sweet.  I love the pucker it bring to the back of my jaw.  Yum!  This is a fantastic treat that will put you in the mood for all things spring!



TRIPLE CITRUS BARS
from America's Test Kitchen


INGREDIENTS:

Crust:

• 5 oz. (about 1 3/4 c.) animal crackers
• pinch salt
• 4 TBSP melted unsalted butter
• 3 TBSP brown sugar

Filling:

• 2 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1 1/2 tsp lemon zest
• 1 1/2 tsp orange zest
• 1 1/2 tsp lime zest
• 1 TBSP fresh lemon juice
• 1 TBSP fresh orange juice
• 5 TBSP fresh lime juice 
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 egg yolk

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350.  Line 8" square pan with foil, cutting at corners, and allowing to go up sides.

In food processor, place animal crackers and pulse until coarsely ground.  Add salt and brown sugar and pulse to combine.  Add melted butter and pulse until incorporated.  Press into square pan with the bottom of a measuring cup to smooth and pack down.  Bake for 18 minutes.

While crust is baking/or cooling, zest fruit and run a knife through a couple times.  Add juices and then cream cheese (I heat mine in microwave briefly).  Whisk until well combined.  Add sweetened condensed milk and whisk until all of cream cheese is dissolved.  Add yolk and whisk to combine.  Pour on crust and bake another 18-20 minutes, until filling just begins to pull away from sides.  Let cool for 1.5 hrs, chill for 2 hours and sit at room temp. 15 minutes before serving.   (yes that is approx. 2 hrs. and 45 minutes before you can dig in).