No bake peanut butter bars

Finally! We've had temperatures in the 70s and I could not be more happy!  I am completely adapted to typical Seattle weather.  I grew up in a very hot climate, but everyone had air conditioning, and lots of people have swimming pools.  When you don't have all these wonderful things to help you beat the heat, you start to get a little cranky.  However, I have a cure for this crankiness....no bake peanut butter bars!  No need to turn on your oven and only 6 ingredients separate you from this tasty treat.   

These bars taste very similar to Reese's peanut butter cups. Who doesn't love a Reese's peanut butter cup? Did I tell you about the blizzard I recently had? Reese's peanut butter cup pie! Um, yeah...awesome.  Peanut butter cups, pie crust, peanut butter chunks.  I typically get a mini size, but this time I went for small (wanted a large) and didn't have a single ounce of guilt about it.  I hope you have a DQ near you because this blizzard is worth every last bite. If you don't immediately have access to a DQ, make these bars.  I can't decide if I prefer them at room temperature, or right from the fridge.  I may need to make another batch for more research.  

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

1 cup butter, melted

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup peanut butter + 4 Tablespoons reserved

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 and 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips

In a medium bowl combine melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar, 1 cup peanut butter.  Once combined, press into 9x13 pan.

Using your microwave, melt chocolate chips and peanut butter, stirring at 30 second intervals.  Spread over peanut butter layer. Refrigerate for at least one hour prior to cutting.  

*I kept the pan in the fridge because of the warm temperatures.

*I think you could easily cut this in half and use a 9x9 pan, but I don't know why you would want to.

I hope you're making these right now....or eating that blizzard.

Here's another great no bake cookie recipe.

Homemade Lara Bars

Lara Bars are a favorite snack at our house.  P and I share them a few times a week.  I haven't sampled all the flavors, but peanut butter cookie is our top choice.  Unless I get them on sale, they can get expensive.  After looking at the ingredients (peanuts, dates, and salt) I figured I could try and make them myself.  A quick internet search led me to many other people who had the exact same thought!

It only took about 15 minutes to whip these together.  I did a peanut butter cookie version, and then decided to add some chocolate chips to my next batch.   Of the two, the peanut butter cookie was my favorite.  The chocolate chips didn't add the flavor I was hoping for, but I'll definitely still gobble them up.  I purchased both the peanuts and dates on sale, spending about 12 dollars. For each batch, I ended up with about eight bars.  Cheapest I typically find Lara Bars is one dollar.  I still have enough peanuts to make a few more batches.  Huge savings!  Plus there's not the waste and garbage with all the packaging!

Peanut Butter Cookie Lara Bars

adapted from edible soundbites

2 cups roasted peanuts

2 cups pitted dates (8 ounce package)

pinch of salt (if your peanuts are salted you can skip this step)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

1/2 cups chocolate chips if you'd like a chocolate version

Process peanuts in your food processor, until they are finely chopped.  Pour in vanilla and salt. Add dates and process until dates and peanuts start to form a paste.  Add chocolate chips last if you choose to add them and process until mixed in.

To form bars place a large piece of saran wrap flat on your counter.  Pour the dough in the middle of the saran wrap and form into a ball.  Fold the saran wrap over the top of the dough.  Flatten with a rolling pin into a square shape about 1/2 inch thick.  Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, then slice into bars.  Store in refrigerator, individually wrapped or in a large ziploc.

Another easy recipe that was baby approved!  I'll definitely have to try some other flavors.  Oh, and if you eat this right from your food processor you may just convince yourself you're eating peanut butter cookie dough. Not that I was shoveling it in by the spoonful or anything.

Golden Grahams S'mores Bars

Hi everyone! Hope you enjoyed a safe and happy long holiday weekend.  Did you BBQ?  Eat, or make anything fun?  I was happy to enjoy a grilled hot dog and my weight in Cheetos.  I have a tasty and easy recipe for you today.  I made this for my Bakin' Friend this month. Our secret ingredient was marshmallow.  For me, marshmallows automatically lead me to think about S'mores.  I wasn't sure how I would mail S'mores, so I was happy when I discovered this recipe in my Betty Crocker book!

This will be a great recipe for summer because it is no-bake!  No need to worry about turning on a hot oven in those hot summer months.   I imagine this being really fun for sleepovers with friends. Great treat to give to little ones who aren't quite ready to roast marshmallows.  

The recipe reminds me of Rice Krispie treats.  You melt together butter and marshmallows and then toss in some chocolate chips and vanilla.  Golden Grahams give you that tasty graham flavor and you add even more marshmallows.   They have to sit a little before they are ready....a true test of your patience.  So don't wait till summer to make these...do it today!

Golden Grahams S'mores Bars

1 bag (10.5) oz mini marshmallows, 1 cup reserved

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

5 Tablespoons butter

1/4 cup light corn syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla

6 cups Golden Grahams cereal

Prepare a 13x9 pan by spraying with cooking spray and set aside.  In a large saucepan, over medium heat, melt chocolate chips, butter, corn syrup, and marshmallows.  Stir continuously until completely melted.  Once melted, remove from heat and add vanilla. Add cereal to saucepan and stir until completely coated.  Add remaining cup of marshmallows.  Spread evenly in prepared dish.  Let sit for at least an hour, or put in the fridge to speed up the process.

If you're not on your way to the grocery store to buy these ingredients, don't let me keep you.  I know this will quickly become one of your favorite treats to share ....or keep to yourself.