bar cookies

Oatmeal Jam Crumb Bars

Dear Sis,

Today we met Carter and family at the splash pad for an afternoon of picnicking and playing. They kids had a wonderful time, they even stopped by the picnic table a few times to eat a little before returning to the important business of fun. We made these delicious bar cookies to share. They remind me of a better version of a fruit filled granola bar… only more rich and not a sweet:)

Oatmeal Jam Crumb Bars
Yields 12
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Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
50 min
Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
35 min
Total Time
50 min
Ingredients
  1. 1 c unbleached flour
  2. 1 c old fashion oats
  3. 1/2 c dark brown sugar
  4. 1/4 t baking soda
  5. 1/4 t salt
  6. 1/2 c unsalted butter, cold
  7. 1 c jam
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a square baking pan with foil and grease it.
  2. Whisk together dry ingredients. Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
  3. Press 2 c crumb mixture into bottom of pan. Warm jam slightly in microwave to ease spreading. Spread leaving 1/2 inch along the outside edges. Top with remaining crumble and press down slightly.
  4. Bake approximately 25 minutes until jam just begins to bubble. Cool at least 15 minutes before slicing. Cool completely before storing airtight.
Notes
  1. The original recipe called for raspberry jam. We only had a half cup left in the fridge, so I also used a half cup apricot jam. Use your favorite jam or jam pairing to customize the recipe for your needs:)
Adapted from Cooking Classy
Adapted from Cooking Classy
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,

b

Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats

Dear Sis,

Last Valentine’s Day we made Rice Crispy Treats with sprinkles. We wanted to try something different this year.

Strawberry Rice Crispy Treats
Yields 24
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Ingredients
  1. 2 T butter
  2. 1 (10 oz) pkg. mini marshmallows
  3. 6 c crisp rice cereal
  4. 1 (1.2 oz) pkg. freeze dried strawberries
Instructions
  1. Melt butter in a large saucepan.
  2. Add marshmallows and stir until melted. Remove from heat
  3. Stir in cereal and slightly crushed strawberries until well coated.
  4. Press into a greased 9x13 inch pan. Cut when cool.
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,

b

Banana Blondies

Dear Sis,

Today, we had just one over-ripe banana. I only have recipes for two or three, so we tried something new. 

Banana Blondies
Serves 9
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Ingredients
  1. 1 banana, mashed
  2. 1/2 c unsalted butter, melted
  3. 1 c dark brown sugar, packed
  4. 1 egg, beaten
  5. 1 t vanilla extract
  6. 1/4 t salt
  7. 1 c unbleached flour
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease and flour a square baking pan.
  2. Place banana in a batter bowl and mash with a whisk until smooth.
  3. Beat in remaining ingredients in the order they appear.
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Adapted from Banana Pudding Blondie Bars
Adapted from Banana Pudding Blondie Bars
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

Recipes that can be hand mixed in a single bowl are perfect for small kitchen helpers!

Love,

b

Lemon Blondies

Dear Sis,

Tonight was our monthly reenacting group meeting. As a special treat, one of the members arranged for us to meet at a historical cottage for a picnic dinner before the meeting. We made dessert and brought it along, because William and I share a baking addiction, and a valid excuse presented itself. 

We used our Lime Blondie recipe and just substituted fresh lemon juice and zest.

I almost forgot to get a picture! This was the last cookie and I took the picture just before sharing it with William. Talk about a close call!

Love,

b

Banana Pudding Blondie Bars

Dear Sis,

Josh is a big fan! I didn’t love them at first, but we had them four nights in a row, and they grew on me too:)

Banana Pudding Blondie Bars
Serves 9
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Blondie Crust
  1. 1/2 c unsalted butter, melted
  2. 1/2 c dark brown sugar
  3. 1/2 banana, pureed
  4. 1 egg yolk, beaten
  5. 1 t vanilla extract
  6. 1/4 t salt
  7. 1/2 c unbleached flour
Pudding Layer
  1. 2 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, soft
  2. 1/2 c granulated sugar
  3. 1 (3.4 oz) box instant banana pudding
  4. 1/2 c whole milk
  5. 1 t vanilla extract
  6. 2/3 c heavy whipping cream
Garnish
  1. banana slices
  2. mini Nilla wafers
  3. whipped cream
Blondie Crust
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Line a square baking pan with parchment.
  2. Whisk together crust ingredients, one at a time, stirring between additions.
  3. Spread batter into prepared pan and bake 15-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
  4. Cool completely before adding pudding layer.
Pudding Layer
  1. With a hand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in sugar until smooth. Add pudding mix, milk and vanilla, and beat again until smooth.
  2. In a separate dish, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form.
  3. Using a rubber spatula, fold into pudding mixture. Spread over blondie crust and chill until set.
Adapted from Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby-Cakes.com
Adapted from Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby-Cakes.com
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

William helped make the crust, but he was too busy playing with Daddy to help with the pudding layer:)

Love,

b