2015 | Just About Baked

Almond Marzipan Cookie Bars

October 22, 2015
Mir
Bars n' Brownies
18 Comments

Marzipan is one of those love-it-or-hate-it treats. I’m really hoping that most of you love it, since it’s one of my favorite things in all the world.

If you catch a whiff of almond extract and you want to drink the bottle, then you love marzipan. If not, well, yep. Sorry. You can come back next week when I have some fun spooky treats set to go!

These are buttery cookie bars topped with a gooey layer of baked marzipan and toasted almonds. I’ve had to hide these in a dark corner of the freezer to avoid consuming every last one.

Chocolate Pecan Pie

October 20, 2015
Mir
Pie Day
24 Comments

Pie season approacheth. Can you tell I teach a lot of Shakespeare? Maybe not.

In my world, pie lives or dies by the crust. In other words, I don’t bother with pies that have mediocre crusts. That’s why this puppy has its own unique pecan shortbread crust. It’s so good.

Pecan pie isn’t something I discovered until my college days, but I’ve made up for plenty of lost time. And I’ve added chocolate to the mix, which is never a problem. At least, not for me. But you can leave it out if you like. Cue my sad face.

Halloween Candy Bark

October 18, 2015
Mir
Candyland
37 Comments

I don’t need an excuse to buy candy. Nope, not me. That’s a year-round grocery cart item for little ole moi.

But if you use Halloween as an excuse, up the ante with some fabulous bark. It’s easy to make, not to mention easier to eat. And it’s full of Halloween candy!

Yep, you’ve got that right. Candy pumpkins, check. Kit Kats, check. Reese’s PB cups, check. Hershey bars, check. Whoppers, check. Oh, and let’s not forget about the lovely sprinkles. Or the milk and white chocolate swirly base. Now do I have your attention?

Peanut Butter Blondie Muffins

October 15, 2015
Mir
Cupcakes and Cheesecakes, Dessert for Breakfast, Let Them Eat Cake
14 Comments

You all know how much peanut butter blondies rock, right? What if they were in muffin form? What then?

If you are getting excited, join me. I’m pretty psyched about these. You see, I’ve never been much of a muffin girl. To me, a muffin is a cupcake without frosting. Yes, I know that’s technically wrong, but whatever.

When a muffin gets to emulate one of my favorite dessert bars, though, I’m down. These are the best dang muffins I’ve had in many a day.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Cheesecake Bars

October 14, 2015
Mir
Bars n' Brownies, C is for COOKIE!, Cupcakes and Cheesecakes
32 Comments

Everyone loves cheesecake. Everyone loves chocolate chip cookies. Let’s make them a duo like peanut butter and chocolate. You dig?

Seriously, when you love something, you don’t set it free. You keep it in your life and obsess over it. I’ve never been able to turn down cheesecake, especially if it’s packed with milk chocolate chips. I’ve never been able to turn down a chocolate chip cookie, unless something is majorly wrong in my life.

Putting them together just equals total happiness. If anyone wants to be unhappy, stop reading.

Kahlua Cake

Any excuse to put booze in my dessert, and I’m there. Who’s with me?

My first alcoholic drink of choice as a young woman was (this is embarrassing to admit) a Kahlua and cream. It was so delicious, like a spiked coffee drink. I thought it was heaven.

And though my tastes have refined over time, I still love me some Kahlua. And in a rich chocolate cake, who can say no? One of our interns gave me this recipe last year, and I’ve been meaning to share it with you ever since. It’s time! And to make it even better, I made a thick Kahlua glaze for the top.

Loaded Caramel Apple Wedges

October 9, 2015
Mir
Candyland, Gluten-Free Goodness, Healthier Indulgences, No Bake, Odds n' Ends
26 Comments

As usual, I wasn’t sure what to call this exactly. But I went through a few different names before settling on this one.

Last year, I tried to make loaded caramel apples. I de-waxed the apples, coated them in caramel, and covered the caramel in honey roasted peanuts and mini M & Ms. And they looked great.

But an hour later, the weight of the toppings and pulled the caramel right off the apple. So I got really angry and gave up. Until now. Because if you don’t like the rules, then change them. If a caramel apple loaded with toppings is delicious, then just do the same thing, but deconstruct it. Easy peasy! No more #caramelapplefail in your life.

Single-Serve Mega Chocolate Chip Cookie

October 7, 2015
Mir
C is for COOKIE!
34 Comments

Just so we’re clear, this recipe yields one cookie. One. But it’s a doozy!

Last night, I sent Kenny to the grocery store for supplies, and I asked him to buy me a giant cookie so I could lug it to work the next day. Sometimes, lunch is a giant cookie.

Imagine my disappointment when he came home without it. The store had none, so he gave me a bag of Snickers minis instead. I was grateful and all, but I really wanted that giant cookie. A chocolate chip one, to be exact. Well, you know what they say. If you want something done right, be prepared to stay up all night to get it done. No wonder I’m cranky.

Butterscotch Cookie Bars

I have a lovely autumn offering for you today. In case you’ve forgotten, butterscotch is an awesome fall flavor. Just imagine eating these cookie bars by a fire pit while the leaves crunch underfoot.

Or, you know, hidden in a closet from your kids. Whichever image suits you best.

I can’t think of a happier way to highlight the superiority of butterscotch than these thick cookie bars. They’re chock-full of butterscotch chips and topped off with even more of the stuff. Say hello to my new favorite bar cookie!

Candy Corn PB Pumpkin Spice Crumble Bars

Yep, I know. That title is a mouthful. But so are these bars, and I honestly had no idea what to call them. But like anything that it indescribably good, these are a keeper.

If you’ve ever taken a crumb cake and eaten the top off, these bars are for you. Made with pumpkin spice peanut butter (thank you, Jif!), these are so light that they crumble at the slightest touch. It might not make for the neatest edges, but these guys make quite the party in your mouth.

And of course, I had to add in candy corn. Who doesn’t love candy corn? As my friend Dorothy points out, when peanut butter and candy corn are put together, they taste like a Payday bar. And with that pumpkin spice twist, the hint of cinnamon is just…yep. Major win here, guys.