Watermelon Bars

Submitted by KC_hockey_chick

"creamy watermellon wonderfulness"

 

• Ready In: 2hrs 50mins
• Ingredients: 9
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 12 ounces vanilla wafers, finely ground
• 1⁄2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 5 cups watermelon juice (from about 1/2 of a large watermelon)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
• 1⁄2 cup fresh lemon juice (from 2 large lemons)
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
• 4 (3 ounce) packets gelatin
• 1⁄4 cup confectioners' sugar or 1 cup whipped cream, for garnish

directions

1. step 1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides of the pan. Spray the foil with cooking spray.
2. step 2 Mix the melted butter into the finely ground vanilla wafers and add 2 Tablespoons of water. Mix well and press the crumbs onto the bottom of the prepared pan, forming a crust. Bake the crust for 20 minutes and allow to cool.
3. step 3 Set aside 2 cups of the watermelon juice in a small bowl. In a large bowl, combine the remaining 3 cups of watermelon juice with the lemon zest, lemon juice, sugar and heavy cream.
4. step 4 Sprinkle the gelatin over the reserved 2 cups of watermelon juice. Allow to sit for 2 minutes so that gelatin can dissolve and begin to absorb liquid, or "bloom." After the gelatin blooms, heat it in the microwave for 2 minutes on high, or heat gently in a small pot over low heat on the stove top, until the gelatin has completely melted into the juice and the liquid is smooth.
5. step 5 Add the watermelon juice with the melted gelatin to the larger bowl of juice from Step 3. Stir to combine. Gently pour the mixture over the prepared crust from Step 2 and place in the freezer for 2 hours or until the mixture is firm. (Alternately, place the pan in the refrigerator and allow to set for 3 to 4 hours.)
6. step 6 Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Before serving, cut the watermelon bars into squares. If desired, sprinkle each serving with confectioners' sugar or a dollop of whipped cream.