The Betty Crocker Project : Mojito Bars

This will be my last post before I turn 36.
I feel like I should tell you that this is when I stared at my computer screen for about 5 minutes.

See I've been a little distracted lately. I've been prone to these strange fits of optimism and silliness. An example of this is when I recently watched the movie Kick-Ass* again and found myself saying to Dan : "I think I may have to rethink my position on Nicolas Cage. He's kinda sweet." I mean Kick-Ass is a great movie but is it really good enough to make me forget this? Or this? What about this? Sigh. I'm just not sure.

For now, let's file that statement away with the time in college when I was slightly intoxicated and argued for longer than is reasonable that Henry Rollins is a modern day Renaissance Man**. There are other comments like this in that unnamed file but I think I have shamed myself enough for one day.

Let's get back to the business at hand. This weekend is not just the rapture - it's my birthday. So in case this is my last post before I'm sucked away to paradise***, I wanted to make sure that all you vegans could celebrate in style with Betty's Mojito Bars. They are perfect for bringing to farewell potlucks or to just enjoy at home with some real Mojitos - which is what we plan on doing tonight. I mean it is Friday and that means Mexican food at The Ol' Shannon homestead.

We make some marvelous mojitos around here - just saying...

I know some of you are wondering what the big plans are for my birthday weekend and to answer your questions : Dan will be planning our weekend events. GASP. I know the mystery and suspense is killing me. You're welcome to follow along on Facebook because I can't help but post things constantly and of course join us Sunday at Foodswings in Brooklyn at 1:30pm for lunch.

I know I should be using this post to reflect on this past year and all that has happened during the 35th year of my life but you guys don't want to hear about that... you want vegan Mojito bars and I'm happy to oblige!


Vegan Mojito Bars 

• 3 Tablespoons Rum
• 16 Large Mint Leaves (chopped) 
• 3/4 Cup Margarine 
• 1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar (you'll want more to dust the top of your bars)
• 2 1/4 Cups All-Purpose Flour
• 3 Tablespoons Ener-G Egg Replacer (just the powder not prepared the way they instruct on the package)
• 2 Tablespoons Applesauce
• 1 3/4 Cup Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 3 teaspoons Lime Peel (grated) 
• 2/3 Cup Lime Juice
• 2 Drops Green Food Coloring (optional - we didn't do that)
• 1 Tablespoon Soy Milk
• Baking Spray  

In a small bowl, mix Rum and Mint. Let soak for 1 hour.

During that time follow these other steps.

Heat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, blend Margarine and 1/2 cup of Powdered Sugar with an electric hand mixer until smooth. Then blend in 2 cups of Flour with the electric hand mixer until the mix looks like fine sand.

Evenly coat a 13x9-inch glass baking dish with Baking Spray. Press the Flour blend into the dish into an even layer/crust. Bake your crust for 20-25 minutes. Pull out of the oven once the crust has a very light golden crust on it.

While your crust is baking, blend in another bowl Applesauce, Sugar and Ener-G Egg Replacer with a whisk. Once it is smooth, blend in 1/4 cup Flour and Salt. Mix in Lime Peel, Lime Juice, Food Coloring (if you're into that) and Soy Milk.

Place a strainer over the bowl with the Lime Filling blend and then pour the Rum and Mint mixture over the strainer. Then with a spatula, press the Mint into the strainer to get the last drops of Mint and Rum flavor out of the leaves. You'll get a few stray leaves in the mix and that's OK. Then use a whisk to blend the Lime and Rum mix until it is smooth and creamy.

Evenly pour the Lime mix over the slightly browned crust and return your bars to the oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the top of your bars is golden and your bars don't move when you tilt the baking dish slightly to the left and right. You want the top layer to have the firmness of a cheesecake. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes.

If you have one, use a sifter to dust Powdered Sugar over the top. You can also use a large spoon but it won't have that fallen snow look. 

* Great movie by the way. I recommend it highly.
** OK - I know it sounds crazy. But the guy has had a somewhat successful career as a musician, writer, and an actor while also being an athlete and vocal activist for several of his political views and his philosophy on life... I mean whether he's good at these things can be debated but if you think he is - you can't deny he meets the definition of a Renaissance Man.
***AHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAAAA. That's funny.