Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

Indivisible {Recipe: Pink Lemonade Dessert Bars}

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I have no red, white and blue masterpiece for you today. No berry topped dessert or patriotic themed beverage has been made. You’ll have to go elsewhere for gorgeous flag cakes, star spangled drinks and patriotic Popsicles.

Oh, we’ll be celebrating, don’t worry about that. There will be time for reflection on the true meaning of “Independence”, talking about the sacrifices that have been made through the years for our freedom. We’ll watch fireworks and I can guarantee that I’ll shed some tears as the voice of Lee Greenwood pierces the night sky and the lyrics of “Proud to Be An American” get caught in my throat.

I love the 4th of July, and although I feel a little bit bad that I don’t have a spectacular Red White and Blue creation to share with my friends and neighbors, I’ll remind myself that the true meaning of the 4th of July is not about the fireworks, the music or even the spectacular food. It’s about having a heart full of thanks for the people who make this great country we live in what it is. People living their dream, fighting for our freedom and doing what they can each and every day to make this land of ours one of equality and respect.

As the Star Spangled Banner plays… as the fireworks explode in the sky… and even as you take one last bite of holiday themed dessert, I hope you too will take a few moments to reflect on what it means to you to be an American. We have a lot of work to do and we aren’t a flawless entity, but I, for one, am most proud to live in the U.S.A.

(For those of you outside of the USA, happy day to you as well!)

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Pink Lemonade Dessert Bars

If you love lemonade, you'll really enjoy these lemonade bars. Your favorite summertime beverage in the form of a handheld dessert bar!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons lemonade powder like Country Time
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • Red food coloring
  • Powdered Sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 F degrees and line a 12x18 sheet cake pan with parchment paper.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together butter and 1 cup granulated sugar. Slowly add salt and flour, mixing until a soft dough forms.
  • Press dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes or until slightly brown on top. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
  • Reduce oven temperature 325 degrees.
  • In a separate large mixing bowl, blend eggs and remaining sugar until fluffy and smooth. Add lemon juice, lemonade powder and food coloring until desired color. Add flour slowly, and continue stirring until well blended. Mixture will be thin.
  • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until firm.
  • Cool completely and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

More pink lemonade treats from around the web:

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Natalie @ Cooking for My Kids says

    Oh, Kristen, I cry every time I hear that song, too. We are kindred spirits. What a beautiful post!

    And, the pink lemonade bars look amazing…no need for red, white, and blue at all when your dessert looks that delicious!

  3. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says

    Proud to be an American and The Star Spangled Banner get me too. In fact I was once singing the national anthem at a football game and I got so caught up in the moment- everyone standing, saluting or hand over heart, the huge stadium flag- that I got choked up. A few weeks later I was supposed to sing it at a Chick-fil-A grand opening and I was so afraid of crying again. I must have listened to that song 500 times that week and watched every patriotic video I could find to “get it all out!” Lol! (Thanks for the drink link.) Happy 4th!!

  6. Pat Wogan says

    The Fourth of July is a bittersweet holiday for me. This year I wish we were at peace…and that all the brave young men and women who are fighting for our freedom could come home. I, too, am proud to be an American. And I am proud that you are my daughter and that you can express yourself so well!
    Beautiful post and super dessert!

  7. Meeta says

    I think I will be taking theses Pink lemonade bars over all the red, white & blue stuff :o) Wishing you a Happy 4th!

  9. cassie says

    These are adorable, Kristen! I didn’t do any red, white and blue either, I am on board with pink lemonade instead!

    • Diane Zeilinski says

      Oh, Kristen you are so versatile. You are so talented in cooking. This recipe looks so delectable so I want to share this to my friends.

  15. Casey says

    Sugar and spice and everything nice. That is what little girls are made of. This is a girlie dessert. So pretty.

  17. Ali @ Gimme Some Oven says

    These are so beautiful, Kristen!!! Such incredible photos.

    Grateful as well to celebrate the real meaning behind the 4th — such a privilege to live in this country. 🙂 Hope you all had a great holiday!

  22. thomas says

    i noticed you used regular lemonade and then colored with red food coloring, why not use pink lemonade country time?

    is there a reason for this?

  23. Amanda L. says

    Hello, I was wondering if you think I could use a cookie cutter after baking the whole thing? I was thinking of making these in heart shapes for Valentine’s day 🙂

  27. Joanie @ Zagleft says

    Beautifully said, Kristen. I too get a little choked up every time I hear Lee Greenwood sing, Proud To Be An American and the bars look so cool and refreshing, perfect for the summer.

    • Kristen says

      Good question – I don’t remember having to refrigerate them for storage… there is nothing in the ingredient list that would make it required for food safety reasons, but they might taste better refrigerated than being left out. (I like shortbread type treats cold, but that’s just a personal preference!)

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