Bars n' Brownies | Just About Baked

Butterfinger Cookie Bars

July 5, 2016
Mir
Bars n' Brownies, Candyland, We Scream for Ice Cream!
25 Comments

Theoretically, we’re halfway through the summer after July 4th. But since the school year here didn’t end until June 20th, we’re not at the halfway mark yet. Nope, no siree! It’s in the 90s, my schedule is more flexible, and I’m getting in lots of quality family time!

There’s something really satisfying about hanging out with everyone when the weather is hot. We can log in lazy pool days, enjoy evenings in the cul de sac after dinner blowing bubbles with all the extra sunlight, and stop looking at the clock so much. We can also pause for afternoon ice cream snacks, and let’s face it. Those are the best. Right now my freezer is fully stocked with EDY’S® Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream and EDY’S® Baby Ruth Ice Cream, and they’re getting a lot of attention. How could they not, when they’re inspired by two of my favorite candy bars?

Since you all know I’m the biggest bargirl ever when it comes to baking, I made a batch of Butterfinger® cookie bars to go along with my ice cream. There’s pretty much no greater combination in life than a good dessert bar and a bowl of ice cream.

All-American Peanut Cookie Bars

June 28, 2016
Mir
Bars n' Brownies, Candyland, Gluten-Free Goodness
18 Comments

The patriotic treats continue! Let’s get them all in there before Independence Day!

This time of year, I’m usually basking in summer with not much to do. But thanks to a recent job promotion, I’m burning the candle at both ends. I wake up, work, work some more, and that’s kind of how it is. But at least the sun is shining!

And I have these to sustain me. The base is my favorite flourless peanut butter cookie dough filled with my even more favorite candy aisle choices: patriotic peanut M & Ms and Baby Ruth bars. Heck yeah!

Patriotic Chocolate Chunk Brownies

Holidays have a way of sneaking up on a girl. July 4th, here you come!

On my list of favorite low-maintenance holidays, July 4th is up there. I eat my annual nitrate-free hot dog (once a year is just enough, really), drink a cocktail, and whip up some brownies. It’s the perfect meal!

I’ll never argue with a brownie in any form, but they’re at their best when giant chocolate chunks are nestled within. Oh, and when there’s a nice thick layer of glaze on top with sprinkles. Patriotic sprinkle bling, no less!

Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake Brownies

June 17, 2016
Mir
Bars n' Brownies, Cupcakes and Cheesecakes
10 Comments

Whoo yeah. We’re ending the week with some much needed sugar, and then some. Who’s with me?

The end of the school year is always a little sad. We say goodbye to students we really liked, clean out our classrooms (only to set them up again two months later), take some time to reflect on what we want to do differently next year, and head out in to the sunlight.

I get much more reflective if cheesecake is somehow involved, and these brownies are the ticket. Filled with chocolate chunks, these gloriously thick cheesecake brownie bars are the stuff dreams are made of.

Peanut Butter Caramel Brownie Cake

You’ve heard of cookie cake, but brownie cake? Yeah, it’s a thing.

And it’s even more a thing when it’s smothered in peanut butter caramel and sprinkled with sea salt. If you’re looking for me, I’m hiding in a closet with a giant wedge of this and a martini. Come find me sometime next week.

Oh, and did I mention there are peanut butter chips inside the brownie? This is one of those times when you run toward making this. No walking!

Raspberry Pecan Crumb Bars (GF)

Oh, crumb bars. This is not the first time we’ve met.

I’m addicted to crumb. You show me a crumb cake and I’ll pick off the topping. It’s a dangerous game to play. Don’t hand me anything in the realm of crumb and expect me to eat it like a normal person.

When done correctly, any crumb cake or bar is overflowing with crumb. A crumb fiend like me has to be satisfied, after all. These beautiful bites of heaven are filled with raspberry jam and sandwiched with crumbly oat goodness. They’re also effortlessly gluten-free, which is the only way I wanna do it.

Flourless Reese’s Cookie Bars

May 31, 2016
Mir
Bars n' Brownies, Candyland, Gluten-Free Goodness
22 Comments

Peanut butter cup lovers, prepare to be very happy. And when I say “happy,” I mean thrilled. Excited beyond the bounds of belief.

You all know that I have a passion for bar cookies, and I have an equally great passion for chocolate and peanut butter. In my world, no snack beats a Reese’s peanut butter cup. In fact, the absence of PB cups in life is a really good reason to never give up on sugar.

These are dense, chewy, peanut buttery, and flourless. That’s right. Why do you need flour when these bar cookies are decked out with enough peanut butter cup goodness to satisfy even the biggest fanatic?

Oreo Cookie Dough Fudge Bars

May 15, 2016
Mir
Bars n' Brownies, C is for COOKIE!, Candyland
28 Comments

Sugar high forthcoming. Be warned!

With Memorial Day coming, everyone’s making barbecue and picnic plans. Well, everyone except me. I tend to forget all about it until the last second or just shrug it off, figuring that if worse comes to worst, I’ll just throw some meat on a fire and be done with it.

But for you lovely people who plan ahead, think about this delightful no-bake dessert for your get-together time. These bars are made of egg-free Oreo cookie dough and topped with thick white chocolate fudge.

Oreo Brownies

Nobody ever says no to an Oreo brownie. Nobody.

On the surface, these are the simplest brownies ever. They’re also the best, and completely impossible to resist. Oreo lovers, I dare you to walk away. Can you? Didn’t think so.

I’ve been in the dessert business now for two-plus years, and I can tell you that Oreos have a strong and very devoted following. I’m definitely a disciple. I’d rather have an Oreo any old day than a Girl Scout cookie (I know, I know). When I insert them whole into brownies? Yeah. See you all next week while I collapse on the floor in a chocolate cloud.

Lime Bars

Cinco de Mayo is Thursday? Aaaaaah. Not ready!

Well, I am planning on slamming back some five-dollar margaritas, so does that count as being ready? Maybe I’m okay. But in all other respects, I haven’t been baking my way ready. It’s all Passover’s fault. But now that’s over, so this no-strings-attached party can get some love!

People love lemon bars at picnics, but that’s only because they’ve never met lime bars. If given the choice, I’ll go for lime every day. It’s so much more refreshing, and it pairs beautifully with a frozen margarita. Salt on the rim, of course.