"Bark" Saltine Cracker Cookies

Just recently we met a sweet lady in a class we were taking to learn about memory loss.  This lady was the caregiver to her husband and every week at class she brought the snack; it was her stress reliever to bake!  Billy thought this was just an amazing concoction.... and I had to agree; Calea and Kevin loved them too.   I think it has become our new favorite cookie!
In a 9 x 9 square pan line with saltine crackers.  If the edges don't work out I break them in half and lay them the best I can.
In a saucepan melt 1/2 cup of butter and 1/2 cup of brown sugar.
Bring to boil and continue while stirring for 3 minutes, lower heat during this time so you do not burn the carmel.
Pour over the crackers while hot, smooth with a spatula.
Bake at 400degrees in the oven for 5 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle half a bag of milk chocolate chips over top.   Let stand about 2 minutes - they will melt - just smooth with the spatula over the top.    Then sprinkle with 1/2 cup of chopped pecans.   Put in the fridge to cool and set.   In a couple of hours remove and just break into pieces like brittle.   Store in plastic container with lid in the fridge.

Nanaimo Bars

Just have to have these for christmas baking, my husband loves them.  How do you say that name???? Nuh-NIGH-moe.  Yes it is named after a little town on Vancouver Island, and the recipe is traced to the church ladies of the town. 



This makes a 9 x 13 pan, cut in half for 9 x 9 pan 
Parchment paper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/3 cups melted butter + 2 tbsp unmelted butter
2/3 cup cocoa
1/2 cup gran sugar
3 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups shredded coconut
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 cups confectioners sugar (icing sugar)
8 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
Heat oven to 350F. Grease 13 x 9 pan.  Line with parchment paper.
Whisk together eggs, 1 cup of the melted butter, cocoa, and sugar in large bowl.  Stir in crumbs, coconut and walnuts.   Press into prepared pan.  Bake 10 minutes, cool in pan on rack.
Stir together remaining 1/3 cup of melted butter, milk and vanilla in medium bowl, beat in icing sugar with mixer.  Spread evenly over cooled base.   Refrigerate until firm, about 45 minutes.
Place chocolate in a microwave bowl with remaining 2 tbsp butter.  Heat 1 minute, stir.  Heat 30 seconds, stir.  Again if necessary, till chocolate is smooth and spreadable.  Pour over bars, smooth out.   Refrigerate till set about 1 hours.   Use the parchment paper to lift out of pan.  Cut into bars. 

Peanut Butter Squares

These taste so much like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!  And you don't really need anything other than a microwave to make these.
Recipe is for 9 x 13 or you can cut it in half to make a 9 x 9 pan.
Base:
1 1/2 cups graham crumbs
1 3/4 cups icing sugar
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup soft butter
Topping:
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup smooth peanut butter


No need to grease the pan.  Mix graham crumbs, icing sugar, 1 cup peanut butter and butter all together.  Press into pan.
In a microwave bowl melt the chips and peanut butter and mix together.   Start with 1 minute at a time and stir in between then heat again as needed.  Pour choco/peanut topping over the pan and smooth out. 
Chill in refrigerator for a couple of hours before cutting - 1 inch squares are perfect for popping in your mouth.  I cut them all up and remove from pan to a tupperware dish with lid.  Keep in fridge.
 

Brownies

There are several versions of low cal, low fat brownies but this is not one of them.   These are definitely high test and worth it.  Enjoy!  They are very moist and dense.  Make a decadent dessert when cut in 3" square topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate fudge sauce on top.... if you are going crazy might as well go all the way!  This is actually a very easy recipe to make for those who have few kitchen gadgets/appliances - since you only need a fork and a saucepan and a baking dish which could double as your lasagna pan.

4 oz of Baker's unsweetened chocolate squares
2/3 cup of Crisco shortening
2 cups white sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup chopped nuts - optional
Preheat oven to 350F.
In medium saucepan melt the shortening with the squares.  Tip:Remember that each individually wrapped square is one ounce.
Remove saucepan from stove and set on heat proof pad/block.
In the saucepan add in eggs, sugar, vanilla and mix by hand with fork or whisk.
In bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. 
Add this to the saucepan and mix thoroughly.  
Grease or spray with Pam a 13"x9"x2" pan.  I prefer a glass pan.

Pour brownie mixture into pan and smooth out.  Bake at 350F for 35 minutes.   Remove and cool.   Let sit at least 1 hour before serving.  Cut into squares.