Melanie W.'s S'more Nut Bars

I made these a couple weeks ago for make-up week, but forgot to post about it. oops. :)

I stuck pretty close to the recipe, but based on past comments I modified it just a bit. The chocolate was 3/4 milk chocolate and only 1/4 dark chocolate. I could have used a little higher quality chocolate to make it taste better but the grocery store I went to only had some cheap stuff. I used the mini marshmallows because I wasn't excited about having to chop up big mashmallows. I think I added a lot more than needed, and also added some on top to make it look yummier. Once it was all put together I threw the whole thing in the oven on broil for just a few minutes in order to get the marshmallows a little melty and roasted looking, like real smores.

I liked these alright, but thought they were too rich and didn't taste like real smores. I think the peanuts messed up the flavor too, but if there weren't any peanuts I think it would be too chocolaty. I made this for my dad's birthday and he didn't give a yay or a nay, so for him that probably meant he didn't like them. I don't think I'll make them again.

Danielle's Baked Brownies

Sorry, no picture. We actually made these a couple weeks ago, not knowing it was coming up in the rotation on the blog. And it didn't occur to me to take a picture.

These were really tasty brownies, but like Hyeyoung said, I don't know that I can say they're the best I've ever had. They had a unique flavor, and I can't put my finger on what it was since there weren't any unusual ingredients in them (I left out the espresso powder). But whatever it was, I liked it.

I was kind of annoyed that the recipe says not to overcook them because "an even slightly overbaked brownie is not a Baked Brownie." After 30 minutes, mine were still totally raw in the middle. I had to bake mine for at least an extra 10 minutes and they were still a little under done in my opinion.

I don't have a go-to brownie recipe, so I might make these again. I don't think this ends my search for a great brownie recipe, though.

Elise's S'more Nut Bars

I'm finally posting!

I halved this recipe because Dan and I can never finish a whole 9x13 pan of dessert before it goes the way of all the earth.

The crust was DELICIOUS! (Mine didn't have puddles of butter on the top, Danielle, but I didn't grease my pan at all. I figured the crust had plenty of butter already.) I was a bit unsure on the baking time since I was using an 8x8 pan, but I baked it for 16 minutes and it turned out beautifully soft but still held together.

(After it had been in the oven for 1 minute I realized I had forgotten the brown sugar, so I whipped the pan out of the oven, dumped the crust back in the bowl, and added the sugar. Luckily it wasn't too late!)

The chocolate I used was Baker's German Sweet Chocolate--48% cacao. My bars still turned out super chocolatey--a little too much for me, but they are still excellent as long as taken in small doses. I am not a big fan of marshmallows, so I melted them into the cream instead of just folding them into the chocolate mixture. I think I could have added a couple more and maybe it would have toned down the chocolate a bit. Were these supposed to be firm? Mine were pretty soft and squishy even after they chilled, so I didn't want to give any to Violet (she'd make a mess all over her face and hands with something like this). Maybe they are firmer now that they've been refrigerated overnight. I'll have to check.

Instead of peanuts, I used pecans. Yummy!

Danielle's Smore Bars

Max and I made these last night. We made quite a few alterations, but we really like how they came out. The only complaint I have is that the crust calls for way too much butter. I may not have used enough graham crackers, but I think I will use a lot less butter next time. Butter was pooling at the top when it cooked. Did that happen to anyone else? I dabbed a bunch off the top, but I think it was still way too much.

I thought it was odd that the recipe didn't specify whether to use large or small marshmallows. Even if it seems obvious, you should still be specific. Anyway, we used small ones and just poured them in till we thought it was a good amount. We didn't put any nuts in our bars, and we added more marshmallows to make up for it.

And based on what Melissa and Cami said about melty marshmallows, we put the pan of bars in the oven for a little while after we put it all together so the marshmallows would melt a little. We also threw some extra marshmallows on top before putting it in the oven so the ones on top would get puffy and browned (just like a perfect smore marshmallow). After pulling it out of the oven, I ran a butter knife through it to swirl the marshmallows a little. Putting it in the oven worked out really well.

And finally, we drizzled some caramel on top after we pulled it out of the oven. We both would rather have caramel on top of our smore bars than nuts. We let it cool in the fridge for a couple of hours before trying it. I wanted to try it before we went to bed and it was too late to wait the full three hours. I'm glad we tried it when we did. It was slightly warm and the marshmallows were still melty, although the chocolate wasn't set. I tried a little this morning, and I liked it both ways -- warm and cooled.

Cami's S'more Nut Bars

These were really good. I think they were almost everything I had hoped for. The graham cracker crust was honestly the best I've ever made. It seemed to hold together better than those I've made in the past. I guess adding brown sugar is the secret. Any time I need to make a graham cracker crust, I'm going to use this recipe.

I really like the chocolate. I think it is the perfectly smooth consistency and just the right amount of bitterness. I love dark chocolate though. Thanks to Melissa's suggestion I added more marshmallows. I think I added 12 or 13 and could have added 1 or 2 more I think. I liked the marshmallow chunks but I can see how gooey marshmallows would be good as well. In order to do that I think I would add the marshmallows to the chocolate before you add the boiling cream so they melt a little. Maybe next time I'll try that.

These cut very nicely and would be great for a picnic or potluck. They would also make a nice ending to a lunch date.

S'more Nut Bars

I decided on the recipe because for as long as I can remember I have loved S'mores. I just love the gooey marshmallows paired with the melting chocolate it is to die for. So, when I saw this recipe I knew I had to do it. I made this yesterday and I liked it, but it was not exactly what I imagined. It did not have the gooey marshmallow with the melting chocolate so right there I was a little disappointed. I think a more accurate name would be "Rocky Road Bars".

I have a few comments. Since I don't really like peanuts I changed it to walnuts and it was great you could probably do any nut of choice. I actually added a little salt to the recipe since my nuts were not lightly salted, but I think I could have done without. Also, I thought the dark chocolate was a little over powering and I love milk chocolate so in the future I would make it with just milk chocolate. Finally, I think in the future I would have either cut up more marshmallows or cut them smaller, because there were times when I had a few bites of just chocolate and I think it needs the marshmallow to cut the intensity of the chocolate. Overall I would make it again with a few modifications.

*I am having some camera problems so I will add pictures soon


And now for Cami's questionnaire:

Q: When did you start baking / cooking?
A: I have always baked I can remember pretty much every Sunday as a child baking something new. When I moved away from home and lived with roommates I stopped baking and thanks to this group I am back baking again. I forgot how much I enjoyed it. I started cooking once I had Lucas because I was at home and I had extra time. I could use a lot of help in the cooking area, but I have been enjoying it the more I try.

Q: What is your favorite kitchen tool?
A: I really love these measuring cups that are made for liquids I have four in total and the smallest measurement is 1 tbls up to 4 cups. I use them everyday.

Q: Do you have a favorite spice? If so, what is it?
A: Probably salt, it is hard to decide.

Q: What is your favorite book?
A: My favorite book for years has been Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand.

Q: If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
A: My sister lives in Qatar so it would probably be there.

Q: If you had to change your first name right now, what would you change it to?
A: I always wanted my middle name so I guess Lynne.

Q: Where do you currently live?
A: Chicago

Q: Where are you from?
A: Mobile, AL

Q: If you could eat one thing for every meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A: Cheeseburger and french fries with a Dr. pepper