Sunday, September 12, 2010

Buttermilk Pie Bars


As I'm sure is true with many other bakers, I often have extra buttermilk in the fridge that I don't know what to do with. I happened to see this recipe for buttermilk pie bars at one of these times, and was thrilled to see that it uses 2 cups of buttermilk. The thing I loved about these bars was how incredibly easy they were. And how tasty! They're kind of like a custard bar, and also reminded me a bit of a cheesecake bar (but infinitely easier since you don't have to wait for the cream cheese to come to room temperature or use a Kitchenaid). And they would do well if you wanted to add your favourite spices, flavours or fruits to them, though I loved them plain.

If this sounds good, you might also like:
Cream Cheese Swirl Blondies
Eggnog Bars
Tres Leches Cake
Pecan Tassies
Buttermilk Honey Bread

Buttermilk Pie Bars
Adapted from Baking Bites

Crust
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt

Filling
3/4 cup + 2 tbsp sugar
3 tbsp all purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
2 cups buttermilk

Preheat oven to 350F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Begin by making the crust. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter, until smooth and fluffy. Working at a low speed, gradually beat in flour and salt until mixture is crumbly. Pour mixture into prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until it just begins to turn golden brown.

While the crust bakes, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, or the bowl of a food processor, combine all filling ingredients and whisk (or pulse) until mixture is well combined and very smooth.

When crust is done, pour the filling into the hot crust and return to oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until filling is just set. Cool bars on a wire rack. Chill before slicing.

22 comments:

Michelle C. said...

Thank you Ashley! I'm always struggling to use up leftover buttermilk and hate to throw it out. I'll be trying out the buttermilk pie bars later this week.

Joanne said...

How did you know that I have a container of buttermilk in my fridge? Hmmm. You are psychic!

These bars look fantastic. I've never had buttermilk pie before but I've heard good things. Very good things.

Jannett said...

these do sound very good. I will have to put them on my to try list... :)

Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets said...

I love tangy creamy desserts. And bars are so convenient :). These look great!

kickpleat said...

I made a broccoli soup with leftover buttermilk, but this looks so different! I never use cream cheese so I like that this kinda tastes like a cheesecake. Will bookmark for sure!

Hannah said...

I've always wondered about something as plainly named as "buttermilk pie"... but those bars certainly do look tasty.

fresh365 said...

I have the same what-to-do problem with leftover buttermilk. Now I know where to turn!

grace said...

what a splendid use for that buttermilk! i haven't had buttermilk pie in AGES, and this is certainly close enough for me!

Joyti said...

This sounds delicious and very original. It really grabbed my attention. And the photograph is lovely.

Unknown said...

a fabulous use for all that buttermilk! i'll need to remember this one :)

Deborah said...

Oh my - I think I actually have buttermilk in my fridge right now!

Chef Fresco said...

We do happen to have buttermilk in out fridge! These pie bars look delicious!

CookiePie said...

Fantastic idea!! I love buttermilk pie, never thought of making it into bars. Genius!!

Barbara said...

You are so right! I always have buttermilk left in the fridge. What a delicious way to put it to good use!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Yum! What a great way to use up buttermilk.

Chef Connie Bearden said...

I love your blog.. and I am going to get some buttermilk so I can use the leftovers for this recipe! Thanks! Cheers!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for another great recipe. I made the Buttermilk Pie Bars last night and fell in love with them :)

A great blog, by the way!

Greetings from Poland!


caroline

eatme_delicious said...

caroline: Happy to hear you loved them! :)

kimberleyblue said...

I've always wants to make buttermilk pie; it seems like the perfect way to get rid of any extra buttermilk, and it sounds strangely delicious.

They do look just like cheesecake, and are probably not nearly as bad for you. Win-win!

Monica said...

I made these yesterday with a few additions. (Sorry, I can't follow a recipe without changing or adding something- it's pathological!)

First I added a scraped vanilla bean to the base. To the buttermilk mixture, I added another scraped vanilla bean and the zest of one lemon. After pouring the mixture over the hot crust, I scattered it heavily with frozen raspberries. It baked up beautifully with the filling rising up around the berries. The end result was both pretty and delicious.

Thank you for the inspiration and a very easy, very flexible recipe. I feel an orange/cardamom version coming on as soon as these are eaten.

eatme_delicious said...

Monica: Ooo I love your modifications! I can imagine how gorgeous it must have looked with the raspberries.

Unknown said...

These look wonderful. Reading Monica's changes just makes me want to run to the kitchen now. And it's 1.30 am!