Chunky Pecan Pie Bars

I haven't kept up with my blogging and recipes. I keep saying I feel like I've lost my baking mojo.

For this recipe I was inspired by a challenge. The principal at my school had his birthday on Wednesday. The office staff decided to bring treats on Friday to celebrate. I asked him what he really, really, really likes because I wanted to make something new. Pecan pie. Uh....

I wasn't looking forward to pie crust. I knew I wouldn't even attempt it. So I decided to google "pecan pie" and "Brown Eyed Baker"- my favorite blogger. I knew she'd have some kind of recipe! Bars! A very simple recipe too!

 

This is a very simple crust to make. A stick of softened butta, 1/4 cup brown sugar, and 1 1/2 cups flour. Combine until crumbly and then press into a 13x9 pan! Easy! Bake for 10-15 minutes.

The filling is just as easy... Whip up some eggs, corn syrup, vanilla, sugar, and melted butter. Stir in chocolate chunks and chopped pecans.

Bake! Cool! Done!

A few of my coworkers said these bars were amazing. I totally trust their opinion. I did taste a bit of these bars but not too much. I don't really care for pecans. Weird huh? But my whole pan of bars disappeared so I know they were enjoyed. And the birthday guy told me they were "yummy". Oh good!

I would make these again for pecan pie fans :)

Click here for the stolen recipe for Chunky Pecan Pie Bars.

 

Stay tuned. I have quite a few new recipes that I just never posted!

 

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Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars

I pretended it was really spring and almost summer as I made this flavor combo. My Jim loves his strawberry rhubarb pies in the summer, so I hoped these bars would hit the spot.

I made a few small mistakes with the first try.

 

The first try I didn't press the crumb mixture firmly into the pan. I dumped it in and scooted it to the edges, pressing slightly. This made for crumbly bars. They tasted great and we ate most of them but they sure weren't neat. The bottom crust never really came together.

My other mistake was that I used foil to line the pan. The foil stuck horribly to the bars. I may have ingested tiny bits of the foil that just didn't come off. Oh well.

So this second try I hope the bars are much better. They are headed to my work for a friend's 40th birthday surprise!

So I did firmly press the oat mixture into the bottom of the pan. I also used parchment paper to line the pan, and I can tell already that they will cut much easier.

Yay! Great for breakfast or dessert!

Click here for the stolen recipe for Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp Bars.

 

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Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

I'd forgotten how good it feels to make a recipe for no good reason but to enjoy it and relax. I had all the ingredients for this one so instead of going out and spending money (my original plan was to browse at the new Trader Joe's in Shoreview) I stayed home to make this many-step recipe and then a nice dinner.

 

 

These bars started with a cookie crust that needed to bake for 15 minutes. While that baked I whipped up the streusel topping, the apple mixture, and then the cream cheese filling. All of these layers went on top of the warm cookie crust and then baked for another 30 minutes.

 

And then I made the caramel sauce, which was a trial. The first sauce attempt was too pale. The second sauce attempt burned. The third was a charm. It is muy gooey and almost candy-like. I had to re-melt it a bit to spoon it on top of the finished bars.

It's just plain cruel torture to let something cool completely. And then I finally decided that I should refrigerate the bars because of the cheesecake layer. So just a little while ago I cut into the bars. Yum. My dear husband said it tastes like apple pie but better because of the caramel and the cookie bottom.

So my taste tester gives this a thumbs up. I'm glad because we have a lot of bars to eat up! Or share :)

Click here for the stolen recipe for Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars.

 

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S'mores Fudge Bars

This was probably the fastest turnaround time from Pinterest to kitchen.

 

When I find a recipe online I always read the comments. I read a few comments that said the marshmallow and graham layers were too thick. I should have adjusted for that. I totally agree that this is too much marshmallow, as good as it was.

 

The bars lifted right out of the pan, thanks to foil. And a few minutes under the broiler and they were nicely toasted!

 

The slicing was not so easy due to the stickiness of the marshmallow.

 

Transporting them was going to be sticky too so I decided to put them in cupcake liners. And then the partygoers won't have to touch them either. Best eaten with a fork!

 

So they are very good! Just so messy. It would be ideal to pour it all in cupcake liners, when assembling, but the layers really were so sticky pouring out. I don't think it would be any neater. I had to work fast especially with the marshmallow mixture.

Click here for the stolen recipe for S'mores Fudge Bars.

 

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Blackberry Pie Bars

I'm hoping that the treat recipient will love blackberries.

 

My friend Ann raved about this recipe and really we have so much in common that I knew that I would love this recipe too!

The top and bottom of the bars are a shortbread buttery goodness. There is a custard like filling full of fresh blackberries (and a few raspberries for added color and well, because I didn't have quite enough blackberries!)

I waited the minimum 60 minutes before digging into a piece. It was still warm and very moist. I think the filling will firm up even more and taste better chilled.

New recipes make me happy and this one didn't disappoint! I hope these are well received tomorrow :)

Click here for the stolen recipe for Blackberry Pie Bars.

 

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Scotcheroos

 

 

It was my dear friend Jessica's birthday and I volunteered to make something for her birthday bash at work. I was told that Scotcheroos are one of her favorite treats. Challenge accepted! I didn't even have any idea what they were really. I knew there was a chocolate icing, that's it.

Where do you turn if you need a good recipe? Brown Eyed Baker! My favorite blogger. Of course she had a recipe and it was a snap. Really! One of the easiest recipes I've made. And oh so good!

My work friends did enjoy these. One said that these are good because they aren't hard and tough. I guess that's a common problem. But not with a BEB recipe :)

These are like rice krispy bars but with peanut butter. And BEB suggests a chunky peanut butter for added texture in the bars. A delightful idea. And the chocolate topping with butterscotch and chocolate melted together? Yum! (I didn't really think I like butterscotch. Turns out I kinda do. Occasionally.)

Click here for the stolen recipe for Scotcheroos.

 

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Pumpkin Pie Fudge

I had never made fudge!

 

I made this fudge for my friend Jessica, a fellow pumpkin lover. We had a Secret Santa exchange and I was thrilled to draw her name. She's the best-est!

I bought these pretty little bowls at Target and filled them up with probably 1 1/2 pounds of fudge.

The fudge was very sweet and full of a wonderful pumpkin flavor. I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised by how easy fudge is to make. Evaporated milk, white chocolate, marshmallow fluff, walnuts, canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, sugar, etc. I didn't have a good thermometer so I did some guesswork on when it was done. I'm glad it turned out well :)

I froze a bit of the fudge and some of it made it on to my Christmas cookie platters a week later. Yay!

Click here for the stolen recipe for Pumpkin Pie Fudge.

 

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Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars

 

 

For a cookie exchange I made these bars. They were a hit! I had several people ask for the recipe. I think that's a good sign that they were liked!

I had one person tell me that they reminded them of a Twix bar. Yes, I see that too!

The bars were not difficult. I think they took a long time though. Each layer needed to be made separately, and allowing for cooling time before adding the next layer.

The shortbread was flakey and buttery. The caramel was firm but soft and chewy. The chocolate was smooth and added a bit of hard texture, kind of keeping all the layers together.

I will definitely make these again!

Click here for the stolen recipe for Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bars.

 

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Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars

I've fallen out of blogging. I've been cooking but everything's been on repeat.

I felt like baking today though! I also wanted to make a little something for a gift.

I had to revise the original recipe because I couldn't find chocolate graham crackers at both stores I went to today. I could have used Oreos but I didn't feel like dirtying my food processor. Graham cracker crumbs come nice and easy in a box, all ready.

The first piece is always messy looking, so just picture these a bit neater and precise. And then imagine that piece inhaled, because that's what I did with a glass of milk.

Do you know why I often make cupcakes and not other impressive desserts? You can taste test cupcakes! You can't taste test a 3 layer cake! Bars are also my friend. We can cut into them, enjoy a taste, and then I can cut up the rest and put them on a pretty plate.

These cheesecake bars are not overly sweet. The peanut butter is subtle. The chocolate glaze is a nice crackle of sweetness on top. So yes, they are good!

Click here for the stolen recipe for Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars.

 

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Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Treats

These look like ordinary rice krispy treats BUT they have 1/2 cup of my most favorite salted caramel sauce mixed in. I told myself that I "had to" make these because I have rice krispies just sitting in my pantry, it would be wasteful to let them spoil. And then I had all the ingredients for salted caramel sauce (butter, cream, salt, sugar), so everything just lined up juuuuust right.


These made me happy today. After a long week it was either make these krispy treats or make myself five drinks (one for each day of the work week). For realz. I did have a dream of making salted caramel ice cream, but I'm still looking around for THE BEST recipe. Soon.


So I did use my favorite salted caramel sauce recipe. I guess I've only made TWO ever, but this was the best of the two. If it ain't broke...


Click here for the stolen recipe for Salted Caramel Rice Krispy Treats.

Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars

With every bar that my husband Jim eats these go up on his "Top 5" list of things I've ever made. They were at #4 but today they're at #2, second only to his beloved Chocolate Intensity Cake.

What can't you love about a chewy brownie topped with peanuts and chopped peanut butter cups, and then a layer of chocolate, peanut butter and rice krispies? Yeah, sinful.

Click here for the stolen recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Crunch Bars. You won't regret it!

Apple Crumble Bars

Oh man, I forgot about these. Mental note: in the fall, go to the apple orchard and make these immediately! I rememember these tasted like little apple pie dreams. The bottom crust was delicate and crumbly. Mmmmmm. I know I can make these anytime but they really do scream fall and I need to concentrate on seasonal fruits and flavors right now- like strawberries!

Click here for the stolen recipe for Apple Crumble Bars.