Graham Cracker Bars

Graham Cracker Bars

Every now and then, you run across something unusual in a torn out recipe at the bottom of a drawer that seems so nutty it might actually work.

This recipe is one of those finds. Four ingredients, guys. Four. In other words, any novice or reluctant or lazy baker can tackle this one!

If you have a can of sweetened condensed milk, a box of graham cracker crumbs, some baking powder and chocolate chips, pay attention. This recipe might be for you! But only if you like those ingredients. Me? I happen to love them.

Graham Cracker Bars

I’ve got four more days of work left and then it’s summer, baby. To celebrate this momentous annual occasion, I plan on doing what I call my “Shawshank Pose” (the official yoga name) as I exit the school building. It’s a very dramatic moment. I walk out the doors, fling my arms wide out (must be sure that nobody is standing there to get whacked in the face), take a deep breath in, and raise my head up to the sky. Of course, I always picture a camera panning around my body in true movie drama style. It’s a great moment.

Then I quietly get into my car and drive home.

Graham Cracker Bars

The thing is, endings are not usually dramatic. In fact, they tend to happen with a whimper and not a bang, as my good friend T.S. Eliot would term it (except he is slightly more poetic than I). We look toward closure and expect big moments, and then? Crickets. When something ends, we are often alone to see it.

I guess that’s because most big moments in life aren’t accompanied by an amazing musical score and really great lighting. It’s too bad, but there you have it. Luckily, your dessert can be photographed in good (I hope) lighting and savored. And maybe you’ll even hear violins in the background as you’re eating?

Graham Cracker Bars

These graham cracker bars should have their own little song. They’re one of those rare desserts you can whip up in two minutes flat and have, baked and ready, less than 30 minutes later to serve. They are that easy to make. Anyone can cook, you know. Ratatouille spoke truth.

The bars are dense and sweet, with plenty of chocolate chips to brighten their landscape. I brightened it even further by using more of my Nestle spring edition chocolate chips. Any excuse to get pink and yellow chips into a recipe and I’m there!

Graham Cracker Bars

When you mix this up, it will be sticky and you’ll need a large bowl to ensure that graham cracker crumbs don’t go flying out at you every time you stir too enthusiastically. You can pat the whole thing into your pan with a spatula, and then you’re good to go!

Not all of life’s moments will be dramatic or worthy of a film soundtrack. That’s probably a good thing. But you can give yourself little moments as you need them, even if you’re the only one there. It’s worth it to savor a fantastic slice of life (or dessert) before it passes.

 

Graham Cracker Bars

Ingredients

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk (I used fat free)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chocolate chips (or any chips of your preference)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8-inch square pan with foil, leaving enough to hang over the sides. Coat generously with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir until incorporated.
  3. Using a spatula, press the mixture evenly into the prepared pan.
  4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until set. Cool and cut into squares.
http://justaboutbaked.com/graham-cracker-bars/

 

 

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 28 Comments

  1. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    Mir – Let me just take a moment of silence for these bars. RESPECT. I think graham crackers are an underestimated snack. They’re unbelievable. There is a local ice cream shop near my house that makes a graham cracker flavored ice cream that packed full of chocolate covered graham bites. It’s to die for. Thank you for sharing these bars. I think I need to make them this weekend. 😀
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…GG’s Famous SnickerdoodlesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks so much, Erin! I personally think graham cracker is an unsung hero. I want to try that ice cream! Arg!

  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Anything with just four ingredients is a winner in my book! Sweetened condensed milk is one of those magical ingredients! Love these graham crackers bars and how easy they are to whip up!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Grilled Haddock SandwichMy Profile

    1. Mir

      SCM is an all-star, Gayle! No matter how much I buy, I always have more to use it for!

  3. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    I just love graham crackers with chocolate! Chocolate dipped grahams are a fave snack of mine and these bars are right up there 🙂 Pinning!
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Jumbo Raw/GF/Vegan Cookies, 3 Ways!My Profile

    1. Mir

      Chocolate-covered grahams are awesome. Now I want to stop at the store and grab some on the way home, Medha!

  4. Heather - Butter & Burlap

    4 ingredients to sweet chocolate heaven?! BOOM. I’m sold! Such a great treat. Can’t wait to try this one! Have a good weekend, Mir!
    Heather – Butter & Burlap recently posted…Potato Salad with Creamy Feta & Herb DressingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Graham heaven too, Heather! Thanks!

  5. mira

    These look so delicious and easy to make Mir! I just saw Graham Cracker Peanut Butter Bars on another blog and thought they would be fun! But yours look and sound even better! Need to try them!
    mira recently posted…Roasted Beet Salad With Goat Cheese And PistachiosMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Wow, that sounds great. I should have thrown some PB in there! 🙂

  6. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, ok, I can’t believe these bars are only FOUR ingredients?!!! and when you do that “Shawshank Pose”, I want VIDEO!!!! 🙂 Happy weekend to you!!!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Roasted Golden Beets with Balsamic GlazeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I’m always alone when that happens, Alice! But maybe I’ll see if I can drag a friend along to video it. 🙂 Have a great weekend!

  7. Manali @ CookWithManali

    Wow just 4 ingredients? Love how easy this recipe is Mir!!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Avocado Tomato Sandwich with Baby SpinachMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Manali! It’s as easy as it gets!

  8. Michele @ Two Raspberries

    happy Friday girl! 😉 these sound awesome! I love that you used the pink spring mix chocolate chips 😉 and graham crackers for the flour such a great idea! love it!
    Michele @ Two Raspberries recently posted…Mixed Berry Burst SmoothieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Michele! I love those pink chips way too much.

  9. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    These bars look fantastic Mir, so nice when something so simple turns out to be perfect!
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Hot Crab, Spinach and Artichoke DipMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I agree, Stacey!

  10. Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes)

    These graham cracker bars are killer! So unique!
    Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) recently posted…Crispy Fried Onion RingsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Jocelyn! I still can’t believe they work!

  11. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    Um, best recipe ever. And I totally just pictured you on the steps of my HS with your arms flung wide. The students would think you were cool. 🙂
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Lemon Snack CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They probably would, Dorothy. But they’re long gone when I have my moment! Thanks much!

  12. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    Wow! These bars look so delicious! And loved the fact that these heavenly delights are made with only 4 ingredients! Great share!
    Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen recently posted…Pink and White Refreshing Watermelon LemonadeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Anu! Sometimes simpler is better!

  13. Harriet Emily

    Omg Mir!!! I love how this recipe has just 4 ingredients! It looks incredible. I could just grab a slice right now. It sounds delicious, and I just know I’m going to love it!
    Harriet Emily recently posted…INSPIRATIONS – PEOPLEMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Harriet Emily! Gotta admit, this one was a big question mark. But it worked!

  14. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life

    Gotta love when a simple recipe turns out so yummy looking!!! And I totally want to see that shawshank pose outside the school too!!!
    Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted…Peach Cinnamon Roll CupsMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Jocelyn. I’ll have to post it! 🙂

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