Beautiful Bars!

True confessions. I turn every cookie recipe into beautiful cookie bars! Yep! I’m that lazy. I don’t want to mess with the two spoons for drop cookies, or cleaning up the ice cream scooper for just the right shaped cookie. Forget washing all those cookie sheets. Just get a 9×13, spray some cooking spray, drop in the dough, and spread it out, and TADA!

Today I am going to share with you some beautiful bars recipes. Enjoy!

Favorite Bars- Gloria Roemeling

This recipe is my new favorite bar recipe. It is gooey, and chewy. Sure to melt in your mouth and be your number one favorite. Keep a cup of coffee or tea nearby to enjoy it with.

Ingredients

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 c. peanut butter
• 1 c. flour
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 c. oatmeal
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

Mix and set aside one can sweetened condensed milk and 1/2 cup peanut butter.

Mix 1 cup flour, 1 c. brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 c. oatmeal, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 3/4 cup butter- this is your crumb mixture. Place 3/4 of this crumb mixture in a 9×13 pan. Then pour the sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter mixture over top of the crumb mixture. Follow that by sprinkling 1 cup of chocolate chips. Take the remaining amount of crumb mixture and sprinkle on top. Bake 350° for 20 minutes. Cool before cutting. Oh, man! You are going to love these bars.

Fudge Meltaways- Ruth Syens

1st Layer

• 1 cup butter
• 2 sq. unsweetened chocolate
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs beaten
• 4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 cups coconut
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Melt butter and chocolate in a pan. Blend sugar, vanilla, eggs, crumbs, coconut, and nuts with melted chocolate and butter. Mix well. Press in a greased jelly roll pan. Refrigerate.

2nd Layer

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 4 tsp Creme de Menthe

Mix the second layer items together- I add, about 4 tsp. Creme de Menthe for mint flavoring in frosting mixture. Chill again.

3rd layer

• 4 squares sweetened chocolate melted

Melt the 4 squares of sweetened chocolate and put them on top of the 2nd layer. Cut into squares and refrigerate.

Almond Bars

• 1 1/2 c. flour
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 3/4 cup shortening
• pinch of salt

Mix above ingredients together and bake in a 12×15 at 350° for 15 minutes till light brown.

• 5 eggs
• 10 tbsp milk
• 3 tbsp. almond extract
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 cups coconut

Beat eggs and add the rest of the ingredients. Mix and pour over top of the crust. Return to oven, bake at 350° for about 30 minutes. Cut while warm.

Chocolate Toffee Bars- Family Favorites, 1st Reformed Church, Randolph, WI circa 1972

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup quick-cooking oatmeal
• 12 oz. chocolate chips
• 1 c. nuts- chopped fine

Heat oven to 350°. Grease and flour 9×13 pan. Work the butter in a bowl till creamy, add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat. Add flour and oatmeal. Mix well. Spread evenly in a prepared 9×13 pan and bake for 20 minutes. Cool slightly in the pan. Melt chocolate pieces over hot water. Spread over top of the baked mixture. Sprinkle with nuts. Cool and cut into bars.

Devils Food Squares

• 1 cup shortening
• 2 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 2 tsp. soda
• 1 cup sour milk ( use whole milk and sour by adding 1/4 cup vinegar, 3/4 c. milk)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup boiling water

Cream shortening, sugar, and eggs. Sift together flour, salt, cocoa, and soda. Add alternately with sour milk. Stir in vanilla. When all is mixed, add boiling water. Mix. Bake at 350°for for 30 minutes in a jelly roll pan 15 1/2 x10 1/2×1. Frost with 2 squares of chocolate, 1/8 cup milk, 1 small tablespoon of butter. Add enough powdered sugar so you can spread.

Gum Drop Bars

• 4 eggs
• 2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon cold water
• 2 cup general purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup nutmeats
• 1 cup gumdrops- cut in small pieces, NO licorice

Sprinkle a little flour over cut gum drops so they won’t stick together. Spread in a 9×13. Bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Frost while still warm.

There you have it, friends. So great bar recipes to enjoy. As always, here is to good food, good friends and a good life.