Smore's Cookie Bars

I found this recipe on Mel's Kitchen Cafe. These were a yummy treat, and my boys loved them!!

Smore's Cookie Bars

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
2 cups marshmallow topping, like Marshmallow Fluff or Creme
2 cups milk or semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9X13-inch pan with foil, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the 2 short sides. Grease the foil with cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well combined. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture, mixing until combined. Divide the dough in half. Press half into the bottom of the prepared pan until the dough is evenly flattened. Dollop the marshmallow topping on top of the cookie base and gently spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top.

Scatter the remaining dough over the top in clumps. Don’t worry about completely covering the top, the marshmallow and chocolate chips should peek through. Bake the bars until golden brown, about 30-32 minutes. Cool completely. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil overhangs. Cut into bars and serve.

Prize Winning Peanut Butter Bars

These Are Amazing!! There is no other way to describe them. Just a little background on these babies: when my younger brother, Jared, was about 12 years old he would make these bars all the time. They were his thing to make. And he was good at it. One summer our ward had a big BBQ, with a baking contest. Jared made these delicious Peanut Butter Bars and entered them into this baking contest where every other contestant was female, and probably over the age of 60. These lovely ladies had been baking for years perfecting their recipes. And in comes this innocent looking little boy who smashes all their dreams of winning this baking contest. Jared won the blue ribbon, and we've been telling this story ever since. On another note, I recently won a baking contest with these yummy treats. It was awesome!! Also, the reason there is only one PB bar in the picture is because they get devoured too quickly for me to get a picture with any more. This was the last lonely bar, and i took its picture then promptly ate it. And it was good.

Prize Winning Peanut Butter Bars

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. peanut butter

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. flour

1 c. oatmeal

Cream together the butter, peanut butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla. Sift together the soda, salt and flour, then add to the creamed mixture. Then stir in the oatmeal.

Spread in a greased 9x13 cookie sheet(with sides). Bake at 350 for 10 minutes, or until done. I think I usually end up cooking it for closer to 13-15 minutes. Just watch it so it doesn't get too done. Remove from oven and sprinkle with about 12 oz chocolate chips on top. Spread when melted. Let cool and frost.

Peanut Butter Frosting

1/2 c. butter(I only use 1/4 c.)

1/2 c. peanut butter

2/3 c. powdered sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbs. cold water

Mix all together, and spread on top of cooled* chocolate. These are awesome frozen, or at least chilled. These freeze really well. Just cut into bars, and you can layer them between wax paper so they don't stick to each other.

*I usually try to frost it while the chocolate is still slightly warm, but when it has hardened enough that it stays put when you spread on the frosting. This way the layers won't separate as much when you cut the bars.

Now, I'm just going to be honest, I always double this recipe. I've never actually made it using the original measurements. Because we all love these, and because they freeze so well, and because anyone who has ever tasted these loves them, and we love to share with our friends, I always double this recipe. So, when I double it I spread it in a jelly roll pan, and I still only use about 12 oz of chocolate chips. So if you make the original sized recipe, I'm not really sure how thick the chocolate layer will be. But I'm sure it will still taste good.

Raspberry White Chocolate Blondies

These are amazing!! The first time I made them, the pan didn't last through the end of the day. So yummy. I've had to adjust the cooking time/temp a little. The edges seem to cook really quickly while the center is still uncooked, so i've lowered the temp a little, i've also covered it loosely with foil before to keep it from browning too much. Just watch it, and adjust accordingly(it may must be my oven). Also, i've never used the sanding sugar, I think its kind of expensive. So I will sometimes just sprinkle a little bit of regular sugar on top. But I think its fine without any sugar on it too. I've also made it with blueberries when I didn't have raspberries. They were good too, but I think the raspberries are better.
Enjoy!


Raspberry White Chocolate Blondies -from the Picky Palate
¼ Cup butter
¾ Cup white chocolate chips
½ Cup sugar
¼ Cup brown sugar
1 Cup flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ Cup white chocolate chips
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons sour cream
1 Cup fresh raspberries
½ Cup finely chopped pecans
2 Tablespoons sanding sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt butter in microwave safe bowl. Stir in ¾ Cup white chips until melted and smooth. In a large bowl add the sugar, brown sugar, flour, baking powder, salt and ½ Cup white chips. In a small bowl whisk the eggs and sour cream. Pour into the dry ingredient bowl along with the melted white chip mixture. Mix until just combined.

2. Pour into an 8×8 inch baking dish lined with foil that’s been sprayed with cooking spray. Top evenly with 1 Cup raspberries. Mix the chopped pecans and sanding sugar in a small bowl until combined then sprinkle over top of blondies. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick comes clean from center.
9 blondies