Atlantic Seashore Pie Bars

Atlantic Seashore pie is the epitome of a easy pantry dessert. Crushed saltine crackers, sweetened condensed milk, citrus juice, sugar, and eggs are all you should assemble the candy deal with from chef Invoice Smith. What began in 2011 as an ode to lemon pie in his hometown of New Bern, North Carolina, grew to become arguably probably the most well-known dessert to come back out of his Chapel Hill restaurant, Criminal’s Nook.

“We used the leftover lemon juice from the bar and whipped cream as a substitute of meringue so the pie might maintain by means of service,” says Smith. “I by no means anticipated it to go viral.” However strains fashioned across the restaurant, and the recipe was broadly shared throughout the nation. Smith’s telephone hasn’t stopped ringing to this present day. 

Whereas I’m a fan of the unique, Atlantic Seashore pie’s mixture of candy and tangy filling, cracker crust, and whipped topping needn’t be restricted to a pie format. For a handheld riff on the now-classic dessert, I created these citrusy lemon-lime bars, which have just a few extra small changes that take them into over-the-top territory. Tequila, lemon and lime zest, and a little bit of floor ginger give a enjoyable, boozy increase to the filling. And since I can’t stand the considered losing the egg whites (solely the yolks go within the filling), I topped the bars with torched meringue. Can you employ sweetened whipped cream as a substitute? After all. However it doesn’t matter what you do, be sure you thank Invoice Smith for the inspiration.

How do you make a profitable meringue?

There are three key steps to creating certain your meringue comes collectively efficiently. First, you need to use eggs at room temperature. Chilly egg whites don’t whip as simply as room temperature eggs so that you’ll have a decrease quantity. You additionally need to make certain the underside of the bowl within the saucepan stays above the water. If the boiling water touches the bowl, the bowl will get too sizzling. Additionally, cease beating the egg whites as quickly as they’re shiny and type medium-stiff peaks. Overbeating the egg whites will trigger them to interrupt.

Notes from the Meals & Wine Take a look at Kitchen

To check in case your sugar has dissolved in your meringue combination, dip your thumb and pointer finger in and rub them collectively. In the event you don’t really feel any sugar granules, the egg whites are able to be overwhelmed.

Make forward

Untopped bars will be refrigerated, coated, for as much as at some point.