Anyone been neglecting the Kit Kats lately? Except me, that is?
Well, let’s get that fixed right away. Anything that involves a wafer and chocolate should never be ignored. That goes double for these bars, which exceed the already super addictive quotient of my usual baking fare.
Seriously, I couldn’t stop eating these. I tried, too. But no matter how many I gave away or shared, I still had enough to make a dent in the batch. And that is an accomplishment worth savoring, my friends.
In general, I’m a big believer in taking credit where it’s due. Maybe eating a ton of cookie bars isn’t precisely an accomplishment for most people, but it is for me. You see, like most women in America (80% according to most statistics), my relationship with food is not completely functional.
For many reasons, only some of which I understand, I developed an immense fear of weight gain back in college, and it has hovered in my consciousness ever since. I’ve never been overweight, and anyone looking at me from the outside would see a petite woman with an athletic build.
So then, why the complex? As I said, I can’t fully explain it, and it would take too long to try right now anyway. It’s partly social, partly psychological, and probably a tad genetic as well. It’s never easy to explain why we are the way we are.
I’ve had to work really hard over the past few years to try and get things in perspective, and it’s a battle I fight daily. In fact, my theory is that most food bloggers are fighting the good old balance battle, one way or another. Why else would we choose to spend so much of our time with tempting food?
In my case, facing the foods that have scared me has been pretty healing. Being around an object of fear removes quite a bit of that fear. I no longer look at Kit Kat cookie bars as an unattainable desire. Instead, they’re there. I eat them if I want them, or give them away if I don’t. If my lunch includes too many cookie bars, I’ll make sure that dinner is healthy and balanced. That’s all I can really do for now, and I’m trying not to hold myself to impossible health standards. Working out is great, but I can miss it now and then. Dessert is one of life’s pleasures, and I don’t want to cut out sugar. It would launch me into the throes of dysfunction.
As it turns out, Just About Baked is not just about dessert. I love telling you stories or making observations about life, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. And while we’re at it, I can also focus on the lovely desserts.
These cookie bars are thick and slathered in chocolate. Each little square has its own Kit Kat bite. These bars are pretty much perfect. I have no idea why it took me so long to do this.
Sometimes it takes a long time for us to admit that we’re not perfect, and even longer to admit that being perfect is not a feasible or desirable life goal. But when things get tough, we can face our fears and conquer them. After all, women are crazy strong. And it doesn’t hurt if our secret weapons include chocolate.
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Well, it’s Friday, and the Big Day is over.
You might have noticed that I didn’t really write a lot about Christmas, other than fact that the religion I belong to doesn’t do that holiday. Nope, I don’t have a tree. But I love baking for others during the holiday season even more. It’s such a great time for cookies and cheer!
In case you haven’t figured it out by now, bar cookies are my absolute, all-time favorite treat.
Think about it: they’re delicious, easy, and very packable. Someone who bakes as much as I do needs to be able to transport baked goods without an epic fail, and bars are conducive to that. Whether I’m headed to holiday potlucks and parties or just to the office, bars are my jam.
And these bars are the best. Two layers of oatmeal cookie dough sandwich a luscious caramel filling, all filled and topped with holiday M&M’s® bling. Who could ask for anything more?
Welcome back to Beach Week on Just About Baked! I’m celebrating the best of boardwalk treats with my own twists!
Have I mentioned that I didn’t grow up anywhere near the water? The closest we came was a three-hour drive to Lake Michigan. It was really beautiful, but I’m more of an ocean beach girl. Something about those crashing waves really gets me every time.
Today is fudge day. One of my priority stops in any beach town is the candy shop, which is usually stocked with thick slabs of fudge in different flavors. They usually have great deals, too, because fudge doesn’t last too long and they need to sell it. It’s a win for everybody!
I never really used to like kit kats all that much when I was younger, but now I love them! These cookie bars look like just the treat for me. These are so cute, too!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Peanut Butter Apple Pie Smoothie
Thanks, Gayle! I’m all about the cute, you know. 🙂
Mir, I’m so glad that you wrote this post! I can relate 100% and I’ve found that baking desserts, enjoying one and giving the rest away has been a great way to overcome those worries. And these kit kat cookie bars? Oh yum! I adore kit kats and cookies, so these sound perfect.
Danielle recently posted…Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
That means a lot, Danielle! I’ve become very devoted to telling the truth about the REAL experiences of women. We tend to suffer silently and not share our imperfections, and that’s gotta stop!
Mir, as you know, I was a fat kid so “weight” has been something I think about all the time. Or did. . and as I grew older, it was more about loving myself and accepting myself no matter what size. . so I hear you on the fear of weight gain. I think honestly this is something most women struggle with. It’s so many things but yes totally social and psychological and all the things you said. I love your posts and stories and things you’ve been sharing with us! and I love that we have out blogs as creative outlets and just vehicles in which to let things out or share with people. I agree, it’s all about balance and not denying yourself. . so that means I would eat TWO of these kit kat cookie bars! 😛 love it!! We women are crazy strong!! 🙂
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Sweet Potato Deviled Eggs
I agree, Alice. It’s like we’re all struggling privately because we think we’re the only ones who have a body image issue, and most of our friends have the same issue! It’s so hard to love ourselves and our sizes when everything around us is pushing perfection in the form of unattainable physical appearances. I’m worried for my daughters, too, and what they’ll pick up from magazines and movies and life. It’s hard to be a woman! No wonder we’re strong.
Well, you had me at Kit Kat! And so inspiring to read your thoughts about balance and weight – so true and so important.
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Clam Fritters
Yep, it’s become one of my causes, Kate. I’m big into health, but I also try so hard to balance everything. It’s a continuing struggle, but awareness is a big part of getting stronger!
As a woman, it is definitely hard for us to balance our weight. Especially as we get older and our hormones begin to change. Not looking forward to those days at all. Until then, I’m going to eat these kit kat cookie bars and be happy about it. They are so darling!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Pumpkin Cheesecake
Absolutely. It’s why I started strength training, to battle those changes that are coming. But yep, dessert helps keep us cheery!
You spoke my mind Mir, urgh this is one battle I fight everyday. Especially being a food blogger, it’s tougher to resist all the delicious things when you are always surrounded by it. I don’t deprive myself of desserts, if I feel like eating something I eat it. I guess that way I retain my sanity else I will go crazy with all the restrictions..lol..
Love this bars, kit kat has always been a favorite!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Spicy Cauliflower Wings
Yep, it’s hard to stay sane with all the expectations that swirl around us, but yes. Deprivation doesn’t work!
These are perfect little squares of deliciousness! Kit kats are a fave of mine and these cookie bars do them justice 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Autumn Kale Salad with Tart Green Apples, Shaved Fennel, and Balsamic
Thanks, Medha! I wish I could say I held back with these, but nope!
The thickness of these bars is perfection. And, well the Kit Kats.
And food issues. You’re so right – so many of us food bloggers struggle! It’s a daily fight – about what to eat and emotionally!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Pumpkin Apple No Bake Dessert
Yep, we struggle, but I want us to talk about it. Otherwise, we’re all alone in the fight! And yes…a thick cookie bar is a happy one!
Oh my gosh, these look like perfect little morsels! ANYTHING with a Kit Kat atop is obviously perfect. Yum!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Browned Butter Streusel Pumpkin Bread
Thanks, Michele! They made me very happy.
Kit Kats are one of my favourites! They do some amazing flavour ones here in the UK.
Being a food blogger is really tough when it comes to balanced eating, and I don’t think many people realise that.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Chocolate Banana Salted Caramel Oats by Dannii
No, they don’t. Do they just think our kitchens magically contain all these goodies spontaneously? Nope, it’s part of our work!
Love this post Mir! You are so SO right. And these bars are even more right 🙂 Little bites of perfection!
Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted…Bakery Style M&M’s and Chocolate Chunk Cookies
Thanks, Trish! I think we all need to suffer a little more vocally. Then we won’t think we’re alone!
Oh yum! They look delicious and so dang cute with the little Kit Kats on them.
Erin @ Making Memories recently posted…Minions Lunch Box Notes {Free Printable}
Thanks, Erin! I’m all about cute treats. 🙂