Birthdays and Bars

I am not talking about the kind of bar you go to for a drinks and conversation, although there is a cocktail involved.  This Birthday Bar is in honor of T's Big Day, and is flavored with his favorite liquor; tequila.

When T and I first met, we were incredulous at how much we had in common.  Our fathers share the same first and middle names, we have the same pin number, his grandmother and my father died the same day just a month before we met, we ordered the same toppings on our pizza deliveries, we love 80's music and Magnum P.I., we are both writers (and late bloomers), we each have the tip of a lead pencil embedded in our knees from elementary school experimentation, and our birthdays are just hours apart.  Twelve years later we continue to mark all of our similarities, and the list grows longer. 

I asked T what kind of cake he wanted for today's celebration, and he paused.  "What about a bar?  What about Margarita Bars?" he asked.  No problem, Birthday Boy.  Happy Day!

Margarita Bars

Makes 2 dozen

1/2 cup pretzels, crumbed (about 1 1/2 cups pretzel sticks)
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 large eggs
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons flour
Zest of 1 lime or orange
Juice of 1/2 lime
2 tablespoons tequila
1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Combine first four ingredients and press into 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 degrees 10-15 minutes, or until crust is set.

While crust is baking, whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over hot crust; bake in 350 degree oven 20-30 minutes or until set.

Cool; garnish with powdered sugar, sugared lime peel, and sugared lime wedges.