Stephanies Kitchen

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

January 29, 2009 By Steph 16 Comments

also seen on Cafe Zupas Blog

It has been one week ago today that I did my very first cooking segment on live television. And I have to say, it was a lot of fun. I made myself ill during the week leading up to the day, but once I got there and set everything up, I forgot how nervous I was and just tried to enjoy the moment. And I did! Everyone was so nice and made me feel so comfortable and right at home. I thought I did so much better than I expected myself to (I lack in the confidence department), that is until I decided to watch the segment. I will never do that again. But I am proud of myself, and for that I will hold the memory forever. I just wanted to thank all the locals who watched it for all the nice words of encouragement. It meant a lot to me to get some positive feedback! Anyways, enough about that. On to the recipe.

I posted this on the Cafe Zupas blog last week and I had to post them again here on Stephanie’s Kitchen. My kids loved these healthy little snacks and I will definitely be making them again. Â You don’t have to add the chocolate, but here again, this wouldn’t be Stephanie’s Kitchen without a little chocolate. Â I hope you enjoy them and I hope you have a fantastic weekend!

Peanut Butter Granola Bars

2 cups granola
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

In a bowl, mix together the honey and peanut butter until smooth. Add the granola and mix until well coated. Pat into a 8X8 greased pan and sprinkle chocolate chips on top. Place in a 350 degrees for 2-3 minutes or until chocolate is melted. Smooth out chocolate over the top of the granola. Chill until set. Cut into squares.

Enjoy!

Filed Under: bars, cafe zupas blog, chocolate, no bake desserts

Chocolate Pecan Toffee Bars

January 5, 2009 By Steph 16 Comments

These bars are sure to please. They are nothing but ooey gooey bites of chocolatey goodness. It’s the only way I can think to describe them. You have to try them for yourself to completely understand what I am talking about. They are rich and filled with chocolate, toffee bits and pecans. Not to mention the butter. But don’t think about that. Yes, it’s January and you are probably on the whole eat light and healthier bit, but you know it won’t last long and there is always room for chocolate in moderation. Just make a batch of these, eat one and give the rest away to people you love. That way you don’t have to feel guilty about anything!

Have a great week everyone!!!

Chocolate Pecan Toffee Bars

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 egg
2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup toffee bits

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and brown sugar until well blended. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until it resembles course crumbs. Whisk the egg and add to the flour mixture, mix well. stir in 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate chips and the pecans. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the mixture. Press the remaining crumbs into a greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 12 minutes. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the hot crust. Top with the toffee bits. Sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture and the 1/2 cup of chocolate chips evenly over the top. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until set and golden brown. Cool completely and cut into bars.

Filed Under: bars

Chocolate Chip and Pecan Cookie Bars

August 18, 2008 By Steph 24 Comments

Happy Monday everyone! Not much going on in my life right now. Just trying to get through the rest of the hot hot hot summer here in Utah. My darling sister and her cute son are coming to visit on Thursday, so you most likely won’t hear from me until Monday when I will be very depressed after she leaves me to go back home to Oregon. :( We don’t get to see each other very often, maybe once every year or two, so I get very excited to see her and very depressed when she leaves. But I will be back to baking along after that. I’ll have to keep myself very busy to keep my head up! Now onto the goodies!!!

Yum Yum Yum. That’s all I can say about these chewy, chocolaty bars of goodness. Crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside. It’s like eating a huge, chunky, chewy chocolate chip cookie. That is my kind of treat! I don’t make bars very often and I’m not sure why, because I really enjoyed these. They are exactly how I like my cookies, but in a bar form. Give them a try, you won’t be sorry! I hope you all have a great week!

Chocolate Chip and Pecan Cookie Bars

recipe by Stephanie

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup chopped pecans

2 cups semi sweet chocolate chips

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, soda and salt. Set aside.

2. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.

3. Add eggs, one at a time until thoroughly mixed. Add vanilla. Mix until creamy and smooth.

4. Slowly add flour mixture a little at a time until mixed thoroughly.

5. Stir in the pecans and chocolate chips by hand.

6. Pour batter into a greased 9 X 13 inch pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 30-35 minutes or until center is set through and top is browned. Cut into squares and indulge!

My kids couldn’t even keep away!

Filed Under: bars, cookies, desserts