Recipe: Lemon-Filled Bars and Coconut Caramel Bars (using graham cracker crumbs)

LEMON-FILLED BARS

2 eggs slightly beaten
1/2 cup water
1 cup sugar
3 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. grated lemon peel
2 tbsp. butter
Basic Graham Cracker Mix (recipe follows)

Press all but 1 cup Graham Cracker Mix over bottom of 13x9x2-inch pan.

Combine remaining ingredients, except graham cracker mix, in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until very thick and clear.

Pour over basic mix in pan. Sprinkle on remaining mix; press down.

Bake in moderate oven (375 degrees F) 20 minutes. Partially cool in pan set on rack; then cut in 3x1-inch bars, or desired size.

COCONUT CARAMEL BARS

Basic Graham Cracker Mix (recipe follows)
28 caramels (1/2 lb.)
1/3 cup light or heavy cream
1 cup flaked coconut or chopped nuts

Press two-thirds Basic Graham Cracker Mix over bottom of a 13x9x2-inch pan.

Melt caramels with cream over hot water. Stir in coconut. Spoon here and there over crumbs in pan. Spread carefully to cover crumbs.

Sprinkle with remaining third of graham cracker mix; press down firmly.

Bake in moderate oven (375 degrees F) 15 minutes. Cool partially in pan set on rack. Cut into 3x1-inch bars.

BASIC GRAHAM CRACKER MIX:

2 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar

Combine above three ingredients well and use as directed.

rec.food.recipes/Ruby/1996