Triple Citrus Shortbread Bars

I keep hearing “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.  I’ve heard that song a bazillion times on the radio.  It seems like every time I get in my car, at one point during the drive, the song is bound to come on.  Luckily, I have yet to tire of it.

As soon as the chorus comes on, I’m clapping along and dancing in my car.

“Because I’m happy//clap along if you know what happiness is to you//because I’m happy//clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do”

I often wonder what the other people around me think when they glance over and see me having a party in my car.

Asides from Pharrell, you know what makes me happy?  Citrus.  A squeeze of lemon juice in my water, a little lime juice on my chipotle braised pork tacos, and an orange for my old fashioned.  Without the sweet/tart/sour complexities of citrus fruits, a majority of foods and drinks would be pretty darn boring.

I found this recipe for lemon glazed shortbread bars from Better Homes and Gardens.  I’m not the biggest fan of lemon desserts, so I added lime and orange to make it more appealing to me.  I love the combination of lemon, lime, and orange zest.  It not only looks pretty and vibrant, the flavors and aroma is so fresh and alive.  The weather has been a bit blah these past couple of days, so this triple citrus shortbread bar is just what my sad kitchen needed.

The shortbread dough is very simple to make; it’s just like making cookie dough.  Make sure to line the baking sheet with a parchment or foil overhang.  Trust me, it makes unmolding bars and brownies a whole lot easier and cleaner.  I like to use the flat bottom of a drinking glass to pat down the dough into an even layer. However, fingers and hands work just as well.

As you pat the dough into the baking sheet, you will smell how amazing and fresh the dough is.  Do not eat the raw dough!  I know it’s tempting, but do try to restrain.  Once the dough is baked, you can eat as much of the shortbread as your stomach can handle.

Immediately after the shortbread is removed from the oven, its time to pour the silky citrus glaze.  To make the bars even more fun, sprinkle additional citrus zest on top.  Let the glazed shortbread bars cool and set before slicing.  And once you’re done baking, turn on the radio because Happy is bound to be playing.  Now its time to dance!