We all know the saying, “When life hands you lemons”. Last week a friend literally handed me some
lemons-right off the lemon tree in her backyard. Who knew you could grow lemons in Alabama? And not just any lemons. These were Meyer lemons. I was first introduced to the Meyer lemon
about two years ago when Dove Chocolate Discoveries introduced a White Chocolate
Meyer Lemon Baking Mix. Meyer lemons are
a cross between a standard lemon and an orange (something similar to either a
tangerine or mandarin orange). They have
a unique sweet, tart taste and make the most amazing desserts.
So this weekend I got busy and started baking for the
holidays. First up, were Cream Cheese
Lemon Tea Loaves from one of my favorite Southern Living cookbooks. These are similar to pound cakes but not quite
as thick. It was a very simple recipe
with cream cheese, butter, flour, etc. and pecans. There was no lemon in the cake but just a
lemon glaze you poured over the hot cake.
I wasn’t sure if it would be lemony enough, so I made extra glaze. It was all I could do not to drink the lemon
glaze with a straw. I was so excited to
try them, I didn’t even wait for them to cool.
As I suspected-warm, homemade cake with Meyer lemon glaze, how could it
not be good? Yum!
Next up was lemon curd.
I LOVE lemon curd. The first time
I had it was in the UK while on a college trip.
One of our host families served it with toast one morning. From that first bite, I was smitten with lemon
curd. It was like lemon pie in a
jar! So I could only imagine what it
would be like made with these homegrown Meyers.
These were the juiciest, plumpest lemons I had ever seen. Again as suspected, those lemons took it over
the top. My lemon curd is intended for
some lemon cookie cups. After the first
taste, not sure those cookie cups for serving the curd are even going to be
necessary. A bowl, a spoon, and a quiet
corner to myself. Yep, pretty sure that’s
all that’s needed.
Lastly, I made up some filling for one of my favorite Christmas
candies-Lemon Cream Bonbons. These have
a creamy, sweet, lemony center with a delicious dipping of chocolate on the
outside. The Meyer lemons really took
the filling over the top! Wow! It was a sweet explosion right in my mouth. I can only imagine what they will be like
once I actually dip them in chocolate.
White? Milk? Dark? Maybe all three!
All of these morsels are safely tucked away in the depths of
my freezer awaiting a wonderful holiday celebration at which to share
them. Well, I use that term “safely”
rather loosely. These were some of the
best lemon desserts I’ve ever made.
I have lemons left so next up, I’m trying these:
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