Pomegranate Cardamom Bars

flakey cardamom shortbread with smooth pomegranate custard

Yalda, the Iranian holiday celebrating the Winter solstice, is coming up on December 21st. In Iranian culture, Pomegranates symbolize the cycle of life, fertility, and abundance. During Yalda it is customary to eat pomegranates. Whether you celebrate Yalda reading Hafez and munching on crunchy pomegranate seeds, or don't celebrate at all, these Pomegranate Cardamom Bars are a delicious way to start off your Winter.

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1/2 cup of powdered sugar

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1.5 tsps ground cardamom

For the filling:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 2 cups white sugar

• 2 cups pomegranate juice

• 2 tbsps lemon juice

• 1 tbsp lemon zest

• 8 eggs

• 3 tbsps powdered sugar, optional

• dried rose petals, optional

Directions:

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, mix together all crust ingredients until a dough forms and no longer sticks to the bowl.

Step 3: Press dough into the bottom of a parchment paper lined baking dish, preferably a 9 x 13 inch pan, or two medium loaf pans.

Step 4: Bake crust in the oven for 20 minutes, or until edges are golden.

Step 5: While in the oven, prepare the filling by whisking together the flour and sugar. Blend together the eggs, pomegranate juice, lemon juice, and lemon zest. When both mixtures are fully combined, add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients in 4 even increments, whisking thoroughly after each addition. When the batter is fully combined, pour on top of the baked crust. Continue baking for 45-60 minutes, or until the top of the bar no longer jiggles when the pan is moved.

Step 6: Let cool, refrigerate, sprinkle with powdered sugar and dried rose petals, and enjoy!