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.

Pecan Pie Bars

This is the most wonderful time of the year!  It is not the most wonderful time to diet though.  One of the things I am thankful for is baggy sweaters and stretchy pants.  It's time to eat and eat a lot!

These bars practically make themselves! Pecan pie itself is pretty easy to whip together.  However, if you are intimidated to make an actual pecan pie, make these bars.  The crust is buttery and flaky like shortbread and the filling is gooey and nutty. Bring these to your holiday get together and look like a superstar! 

Pecan Pie Bars

from Paula Deen

1 cup softened butter

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups flour

4 eggs, beaten

1 1/3 cups packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl beat butter, sugar, and salt until smooth and creamy.  Add flour in batches, until completely combined.  Press into the bottom of a 13x9 pan.  Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until light golden brown.

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla.  Once combined, fold in pecan pieces.  Pour over baked crust. Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, until topping is set.  Allow to cool completely and then cut into bars.

I hope you all are having fun getting ready for the holidays.  It can be a stressful and busy time, so take a moment to enjoy your loved ones and all that yummy food!

Pay Day, peanut butter, and chocolate bars

Sometimes there are candy bars that are just underrated!  I think the Pay Day is one of those.  Rarely do I see anyone buy a Pay Day.  It's a tough market when you are competing with Peanut Butter Cups and M&Ms.  Whenever I see a little Pay Day in a candy dish, I grab it.  They remind me of my old job and my sweet boss who would throw the fun size bars in her candy dish.  Whenever I would eat one, I would think, "why don't I eat these more often??"  Now I don't buy them because candy bars are too darn expensive! I'd rather buy a big bag of M&Ms, eat the entire thing, and cut my losses.

This bar celebrates my love for the Pay Day and chocolate and peanut butter.  Very simple peanut butter cookie base with some chopped up candy bar and chocolate chips. I think I'll try it with some other candy bars too.  But for now, the Pay Day is the star of the show.

Pay Day, peanut butter, and chocolate bars.

makes 1 8x8 pan

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup melted and cooled butter

1 cup peanut butter

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup chocolate chips

2 king size Pay Day bars, chopped

Preheat oven to 350, grease pan.

In a small bowl combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer combine, melted butter, brown sugar, sugar, and peanut butter until light and creamy. Add egg and vanilla.  Once combined, add dry ingredients and mix on low speed.  

Press half of the peanut butter cookie mixture in the bottom of pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips and chopped Pay Day bars over the top.  Crumble remaining half of peanut butter cookie dough on top.  Bake for 20-25 minutes.

This bar is sure to satisfy your peanut butter cravings. What's your favorite forgotten candy bar?