Friday, November 6, 2009

Shortcut chocolate bars

Let me start by admitting that I keep several of these bars tightly wrapped in my freezer at all times. These and a few brownies. After a quick pop in the microwave, they're as good as new. Or pretty close anyway.

What I like best is that they're so easy to make and yet they're super delicious. My kind of treat!

Here's what you'll need:

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 17-ounce rolls refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough

Preheat your oven to 350 F. In a saucepan, combine the chocolate chips, condensed milk and butter. Cook and stir over low heat until the chocolate is melted. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the nuts (I don't use them but you may choose to) and the vanilla.

Cover a 15" x 10" (or any pan similar in size) with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. You don't have to use foil, but I always do because it makes clean-up a cinch and anything to make clean-up quicker is a good thing! Then, press 1 1/3 rolls of the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan.


Next, spread the melted chocolate mixture evenly on the cookie dough and resist the urge to dip a finger in it. Some of you have self-control, I'm sure. :)



Dot the remaining cookie dough on top of the chocolate mixture. It doesn't have to be precise, so now is a great time to call in little helpers you may have around.



Bake for 25 minutes or so but be carefeful not to overbake. When the top is lightly browned, it's done.



I find these bars even better the next day because they're extremely moist the first day so it's a great recipe for when you need something you can bake a day or two ahead of time.

Now, let it cool for a while and then cut into bars. The size of the bars will be up to you!



Wishing you God's blessings too numerous to count and may they all be as sweet as chocolate!

{hugs}

18 comments:

Debbie said...

These look delicious and sound easy to make. I think I'll give them a try so I can add more inches to my midriff:)
Debbie

Lois Christensen said...

Oh I need to try these! My kids would love them. Who am I kidding? I would love them!! Enjoy your weekend!

Elena said...

Those look so yummy! I will have to try them for the holidays:)

Jess said...

these sound awesome

magnoliasntea said...

Oh my goodness, those cookies look wonderful. I think I'll do just as Debbie mentioned and add to my inches. Thank you for sharing the recipe!

Linda said...

I was going to say, "Oh my goodness." - but Tea already said that. They look so delicious. My absolute favorite sort of sweet.
Thank you Melody.

Nanette said...

Hi Melody,
These look wonderful! Hard to think of anything else now, ha!
Valerie

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Ooooh, these sound divine! I will have to remember these treats for Christmas this year.

XO,

Sheila :-)

ChaChaneen said...

Yummy! Mmmmmm. I will definitely make these for an upcoming potluck! Thanks for sharing with us.

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Thanks for visiting. Yes, Valerie and I had so much fun visiting each other. I look forward to reading more of your blog. Your recipe looks delicious. I can't wait to try it. Love & blessings from NC!

valerie said...

Yummy....these look delicious.
I'm such a visual person and love seeing pictures with recipes.
I'll definitely be trying these.

Anonymous said...

That sounds so yummy!

Raise Them Up said...

Oh, wow! These look super delicious, and I like easy!

Elizabethd said...

Oh yummy, thanks so much for the recipe!

Anonymous said...

This sounds so delicious! I have to try them too. Thanks for the recipe ♥

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

Those look so YUMMY!

Thanks for coming by to visit me...I really appreciate your sweet comment!

RoyalTLady said...

Hi Melody,

Are you still in the game with award thingy?

Please drop by and collect an award from my blog.

See you.

cheers.

blueberry hill said...

Just catching up with you. it's been a while. Love the look of these...think this may be what I try out this weekend!
Anne