Jeff's Peanut Butter Bars

This is a horrible picture, but it's better than nothing, right?!?! 😬  This is one of my most favorite desserts--sooooo good!

Jeff's Peanut Butter Bars

1 1/2 C. butter (3 cubes), softened

3 C. brown sugar

3 eggs (or 3/4 C. egg beaters)

2 tsp. vanilla

3 C. oats

2 C. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

Cream together butter and sugar.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix until fluffy.  Add in oats, flour, and salt until just combined.  Press into a greased jelly roll pan (13x18x1).  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes (until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean).  Remove from oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes.  While the bars are still warm, spread a generous amount of creamy peanut butter over the top.  Make the frosting while bars continue to cool.

Chocolate Frosting

3/4 C. butter

3/4 C. cocoa

4 C. powdered sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

4-6 Tbsp. milk (to reach desired consistency)

Melt together the butter and cocoa in a medium-sized sauce pan.  Remove from heat and stir in the rest of the ingredients.  Add more milk if needed.  Pour frosting over bars and spread until smooth.  The frosting should be thick and fudgy, but thin enough to spread over the bars.  Let the bars set for a couple of hours before cutting.

recipe from Mom and Carrie

Presumption Bars

These were tasty & easy!

Presumption Bars


2 C. oatmeal

1 C. flour

1 C. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. salt (I used 1/4 tsp.)

1/2 tsp. soda

3/4 C. butter, softened (next time I think I will just melt it)

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

3/4 C. peanut butter (I used creamy)

1 bag (12 oz.) dark chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet)



In large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, salt, & soda.  Cut butter in to form crumbly mixture.  Reserve 1 1/2 C. and set aside.  Pat the remaining mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.  In a small bowl, use an electric beater to mix peanut butter & sweetened condensed milk.  Carefully spread peanut butter mixture over the oatmeal layer.  Sprinkle with chocolate chips & then top with the reserved oatmeal mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes.  Let cool for 1/2 hour before serving.




recipe from Bex Box

Chewy Butterscotch Brownies

These are very easy & yummy!

Chewy Butterscotch Brownies

1 C. butter, softened

1  3/4 C. brown sugar

1 Tbsp. vanilla

2 eggs (I used egg beaters)

2 1/2 C. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt (I used 1/4 tsp.)

1  2/3 C. butterscotch chips (you could use any flavor of chips)

1 C. chopped nuts (optional--I didn't use them)

Combine butter, sugar, eggs, & vanilla.  Mix well.  Sift in dry ingredients & mix until just combined.  Stir in chips & nuts.  Spread into a greased 9x13 pan.  Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool & cut into bars.

recipe from Nestle (off of the butterscotch chips package)

Gooey Bars

These are very fast, easy, & very good!  They are quite rich though :)

Gooey Bars


1 German Chocolate cake mix

1/2 C. butter, melted

1 1/2 C. mini marshmallows

1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 C. nuts and/or cheerios (I just used walnuts & I used way less than 2 C.)

1 can sweetened condensed milk




Mix butter & cake mix together.  Press into a greased 9x13 pan.  Sprinkle marshmallows, chocolate chips, and nuts over top (I only put nuts on part of it).  Drizzle sweetened condensed milk evenly over top.  Bake 17-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool before cutting.





recipe from Mom

Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Bars

I made these when we had the missionaries over for dinner & everyone LOVED them--especially with a glass of milk!

Chocolate Chip Butterscotch Bars


1 C. butter, softened

1 C. brown sugar

1 egg (I used egg beaters)

2 tsp. vanilla

2 C. flour

1/2 tsp. soda

1 1/2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 C. (4 oz.) chopped pecans (optional--I didn't use them)



Blend butter & sugar together. Add egg & vanilla & beat at medium speed until light & smooth. Sift in dry ingredients & add chocolate chips & nuts. Blend at low speed until just combined. Do not overmix. Transfer dough into a greased 8x8 pan & level top with a rubber spatula. Bake in a preheated 300 degree oven for 30-40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean, but center is still soft. Cool on rack to room temperature. Cut into bars & serve.




*These bars are really thick, so you could probably do them in a 9x13 pan if you like your bars thinner--I like them thick though :)





recipe from Mrs. Fields

Cheesecake

This cheesecake is so good & very fast & easy. It's definitely a must try!

Cheesecake


Crust:

1 1/4 C. graham cracker crumbs (or 1 package of graham crackers, crushed)

6 Tbsp. butter, melted

1/4 C. sugar



Mix together & bake in a 9x13 pan at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes. Let crust cool completely.



Cheesecake Filling:

8 oz. cream cheese

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1/3 C. lemon juice (I use the bottled kind, not fresh)

1 tsp. vanilla

8 oz. Cool Whip (refrigerated, not frozen)




Let cream cheese stand at room temperature until soft. Beat until fluffy. Gradually mix in sweetened condensed milk. Add in lemon juice & vanilla. Stir until blended. Fold in cool whip. Pour onto prepared pie crust. Chill for 2-3 hours in fridge. Serve with desired toppings (fruit pie fillings work great with this).



*If you need to make a lot--a double batch fits perfectly into a jelly roll pan.





recipe from Mom

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

These are so yummy and fast & easy! Just your basic chocolate chip cookie recipe, but made into bars!

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars


1 C. butter, softened

3/4 C. sugar

3/4 C. brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs (I used egg beaters)

2 1/4 C. flour

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. salt (I used 1/2 tsp.)

2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used M & M's instead for the bars)

1 C. chopped nuts (optional--I didn't use nuts)




Beat butter & sugars together. Add in vanilla & eggs & mix well. Sift in dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop spoonfuls of dough onto a cookie sheet or press into a greased jelly roll pan (15 inch x 10 inch). (The dough was really sticky, so I would wet my hands with some cold water & then press it down). Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool & cut into squares.




* I like to do a 1 1/2 batch because I like my bars a little bit thicker :) 




recipe from Nestle

Magic Cookie Bars

These were for a mutual treat & they were super fast, easy & good!

Magic Cookie Bars


1 1/2 C. graham cracker crumbs

1/2 C. butter, melted

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 1/3 C. coconut

1 C. chopped nuts (optional--I didn't use them)



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs & butter. Mix well & press into bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the crumb mixture. Sprinkle on chocolate chips, coconut, & nuts. Press down firmly with a fork. Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool & chill if desired (I didn't chill mine). Cut into bars & enjoy!




*You can substitute 1 C. of the chocolate chips for butterscotch, peanut butter, or white chocolate chips.







recipe from Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

These were so yummy, moist, & thick. I made them for a joint mutual activity (along with mint brownies & caramel layer bars) and they were all gobbled right up!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

6 Tbsp. butter, softened

1/2 C. chunky peanut butter

1 C. sugar

1/4 C. brown sugar, packed

2 eggs (I used egg beaters)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 C. flour

1/4 tsp. salt (I used 1/8 tsp.)

1 tsp. baking powder

1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips




Cream butter & peanut butter together until smooth. Beat in sugars. Add eggs one at a time & then add vanilla. Sift in dry ingredients. Add in chocolate chips. Spread into a greased 8x8 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Cool completely before cutting.





*FYI: I did a double batch in a 9x13 pan & it took longer than 30 minutes to cook.





recipe from Bake at 350--you can find the original post here.

Lemon Bars

So yummy & simple!

Lemon Bars


Crust:

1 C. butter, softened

2 C. flour

1/2 C. powdered sugar



Filling:

4 eggs, beaten

1/4 C. flour, sifted

2 C. sugar

6 Tbsp. lemon juice (I use freshly squeezed & saved the zest in the freezer for these blueberry muffins)





Mix crust ingredients & press into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes. While the crust is baking, mix ingredients together for the filling. Pour filling over crust and bake for another 25 minutes (I use the toothpick method & it didn't come out quite clean, but the lemon bars were perfect, so be careful not to over-bake). Let bars cool completely & then sprinkle with powdered sugar & cut & serve.






*I used 2 lemons & got exactly 6 Tbsp. of juice








recipe from Mom

Mint Brownies

These brownies are SOOOO good! I made them for a youth fireside & they were a big hit, so definitely a must try!

Mint Brownies



Brownies:


1 C. butter, softened

1/2 C. cocoa

2 C. sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 C. flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 C. nuts (optional)




Mint Frosting:


2 C. powdered sugar

4 Tbsp. butter, softened

1 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract

1-2 Tbsp. milk

green food coloring




Chocolate Glaze:


6 oz. (1 C.) semi-sweet chocolate chips

6 Tbsp. butter




Cream together butter, sugar & cocoa. Add eggs & vanilla. Sift flour & salt & mix all together. Spread in a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (make sure you don't overbake them). Cool completely. When brownies have cooled to room temperature, prepare frosting.



Combine all frosting ingredients, starting with 1 1/2 Tbsp. of milk and beat until light & fluffy. Add more milk by teaspoonful as needed and then color the frosting green. Spread frosting evenly over brownies and then place brownies in fridge to chill (I did for about 30 minutes).



While brownies are chilling, prepare chocolate glaze. Place chocolate chips & butter in microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until it is just melted & smooth. Set aside to cool for about 15 minutes and then carefully spread on top of the frosting layer. Return pan to fridge to cool. When chocolate has hardened (took about 30 minutes) , cut into squares and serve.




*For Christmas, these are really good with crushed candy canes on the top of the chocolate glaze!  Just immediately sprinkle on the crushed candy canes as soon as you spread out the chocolate glaze and then don't forget to color the mint frosting pink instead of green!





I used the brownie recipe from these Marshmallow Brownies and the mint & chocolate parts from Our Best Bites--you can get their full recipe here.

Granola Bars

These were so tasty--a lot better than one's you can buy! Definitely a must try because you can alter these to your liking.

Wheat germ--I found this in the cereal isle, by the oatmeal & hot cereal.

Granola Bars


2 C. old-fashioned oats (I just used quick oats)

1 C. sliced almonds

1 C. shredded coconut (I like to use the unsweetened coconut)

1/2 C. toasted wheat germ

2/3 C. honey

3 Tbsp. butter

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional--you could do any flavor of chips or any dried fruit. Our favorite is raisins & it's good if you add in a little cinnamon too. I don't ever measure the raisins, I just dump some in)





Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toss the oats, almonds, & coconut on a jelly roll pan & cook for 10-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer oat mix to a large bowl & add the wheat germ. In a saucepan, over medium heat, bring the butter, honey, vanilla, & salt to a boil for 1 minute. Pour over oat mixture & mix well. Pour 1/2 of the granola into a greased & parchment-lined 8x8 pan. Sprinkle on chocolate chips or dried fruit & then cover with the other 1/2 of the granola. Reduce the oven to 300 degrees and bake for 10-30 minutes or until lightly browned (do more or less time depending on if you want the bars to be chewy or crunchy--I did mine for about 20 minutes & they were on the crunchy side. We like ours soft, so I usually do mine for about 10 minutes). Allow bars to cool for at least 3 hours (I would recommend cutting them into squares before they cool all the way--otherwise they're hard to cut). Store in an airtight container.






*FYI--I figured out the total amount of calories for this recipe & it is 3,060 calories (if you use chocolate chips). If you cut it into 20 squares then that's 153 calories per square.







recipe from Rachel

Texas Sheet Cake

This is super tasty--I made it for a Ward party & took 2 big platefuls & they were gone in no time--it was a big hit!

Texas Sheet Cake


2 C. flour

2 C. sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

4 Tbsp. (heaping) cocoa

1 C. butter

1 C. boiling water

1/2 C. buttermilk (if you don't have buttermilk, do 1/2 C. milk plus 2 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice)

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp. soda

1 tsp. vanilla





Frosting

1 3/4 stick butter (I just did 1 cube & it worked great)

4 Tbsp. (heaping) cocoa

6 Tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

3 1/2 C. powdered sugar

1/2 C. finely chopped pecans (optional)





In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, & salt. In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together. Add boiling water & allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture and stir lightly to cool. In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk & add beaten eggs, soda, & vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. While cake is baking, make the icing. Melt butter in saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, & powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together & pour over warm cake.








recipe from Pioneer Woman

Pumpkin Bars

These are so yummy & moist--definitely a must try!

Pumpkin Bars

4 eggs

2 C. sugar

1 C. oil (I did 1/2 unsweetened applesauce)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin

2 C. flour (you can do 1/2 whole wheat flour)

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. soda

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. cloves

1/2 tsp. nutmeg




Mix all ingredients together thoroughly, but don't overmix. Pour into a greased jelly roll pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Make sure you don't overbake, so watch closely! Frost with cream cheese frosting once the bars have cooled completely.




Cream Cheese Frosting


3-4 C. powdered sugar

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/4 C. butter, softened (optional--I don't use it)

1 tsp. vanilla



Mix all of the ingredients together with a mixer until smooth. Add more powdered sugar if needed.



*I like to double the frosting



recipe from Mom

Caramel Butterscotch Bars

These are soooo good & easy!

Caramel Butterscotch Bars


2 C. Bisquick (I used the heart healthy)

2 C. oatmeal

1 1/4 C. brown sugar

1 C. butter, softened (next time I think I'll just melt it)

1/2 to 1 C. chocolate chips (I use 1/2 milk chocolate & 1/2 semi-sweet)

1/2 to 1 C. butterscotch chips

1 C. caramel (I just used the light caramel apple dip & it worked great or the caramel bits)



Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, mix the oatmeal, bisquick, brown sugar and butter until combined. Evenly spread 3/4 of this mixture in the pan, then bake for 10 minutes. Microwave the caramel (according to package directions) and spread it over the baked oatmeal layer. Sprinkle the chips over the caramel layer (to sight). Crumble the remaining oatmeal mix over the top of the caramel layer, and bake for another 20-25 minutes. Cool and refrigerate if desired (I didn't). Cut into bars and serve. (Can be frozen).






recipe from Jenny Holloway

Salted Nut Roll Bars

These are so yummy! Almost as good as the candy bar!

Salted Nut Roll Bars

1 yellow cake mix

1 egg

1/2 C. butter, melted

3 C. mini marshmallows

1 pkg. (1 2/3 C.) peanut butter chips

2/3 C. corn syrup

1/4 C. butter

1-2 C. lightly salted peanuts




Combine cake mix, egg, & melted butter (1/2 C.). Pat in greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Take out of oven & sprinkle with marshmallows & return to oven for 2 minutes. Press marshmallows down. Let cool. In saucepan, melt peanut butter chips, corn syrup , & butter (1/4 C.). Pour over top of bars & spread evenly. Sprinkle peanuts on the top & lightly press down.





recipe from Annie

Cream Cheese Croissants

These are so good & so easy!

Cream Cheese Croissants

2 (8 oz.) pkg. croissants (I always use the reduced fat)

8 oz. cream cheese, softened (I use the reduced fat for this too)

3/4 C. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla




Open one package of croissants, unroll (don't flatten) & place on a greased jelly roll pan. Pinch perforated edges together. Mix cream cheese, sugar, & vanilla together. Spread mixture on top of croissant & then lay second croissant on top (pinch edges together as before). Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven & let cool for 15 minutes & then drizzle glaze on top.




Glaze

1-2 C. powdered sugar (I just dump some in, so I'm guessing on the amount)

1-3 Tbsp. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 Tbsp. butter, softened (optional)


Mix together. Add more milk or powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.




*If I'm just making this for Danny & I, I half the recipe & it works great!





recipe from a combination of recipes I found online

Butterscotch Bars

These are a easy & yummy treat--especially if you're in a non-chocolate mood!

Butterscotch Bars


1 C. butter, melted

1 1/2 C. brown sugar

1 1/2 C. white sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 C. flour, sifted

Mix thoroughly & then add

6 eggs (one at a time)



Mix well. Spread in a greased jelly roll pan (or two 9x13 pans).

Bake at 400 degrees for 12-15 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely & top with butter cream frosting.


Frosting

1/2 C. softened butter

3 C. powdered sugar (this is just an estimate--I always just dump some in & add more if needed)

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbsp. milk (again, I just dump some in until it's the right consistency)



Beat until it's well mixed and smooth.





recipe from Mom

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Crispy Bars

These are a really quick & tasty treat!

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Crispy Bars


1 C. creamy peanut butter

1/2 C. honey (I used the runny kind, not creamy because that's what I had)

1 C. chocolate chips (I used part milk & part semi-sweet)

4 C. Rice Krispies (more or less, depending on the consistency you want)



Put peanut butter, honey, & chocolate chips in a large microwaveable bowl. Cook in microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes (stirring after every 30 seconds). Stir in Rice Krispies. Grease an 8x8 pan (or a 9x13 if you want them to be on the thinner side) and press mixture into the pan. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Banana Bars

These are soooo yummy & moist--definitely a must try!

Banana Bars

1/2 C butter, softened

1 1/2 C. sugar

2 eggs

1 C. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

2 C. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 medium ripe bananas, smashed


In a mixing bowl, cream butter & sugar. Add eggs, sour cream, & vanilla. Combing flour, baking soda, & salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture. Stir in bananas. Spread into a greased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until inserted toothpick (in center of bars) comes out clean. Cool completely & then frost.



Cream Cheese Frosting

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1/2 C. butter, softened (I just used 1/4 C. and it tasted great)

2 tsp. vanilla

3 3/4 to 4 C. powdered sugar


Beat cream cheese, butter, & vanilla. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until you reach desired consistency.




*This made plenty of frosting for the bars, so I had some leftover!






recipe from Jenni