Three Layer Cookie

During the Holidays I like to makes dozens and dozens of cookies for friends and co-workers. It's my gift for everyone. I set them out and then have to listen to everyone complain about their weight as they are stuffing their faces. That's why I make the cookies small, people! Don't blame me for your lack of control. But do tell me which one was your favorite... Ha Ha Ha I actually think that complaining about your weight has become a part of polite society. It reminds me of when you tell someone they didn't need to get you a gift even though you really (really) wanted one. Pretending they don't want goodies...whatever. Just take a plateful! Planet Fitness is open 24 hours.

I got a little tired after baking 10 different cookies so I had to try something a little different. Technically these are listed as cookies but they are bars. Wisconsin Power and Light Company providing another great cooking pamphlet, Festive Traditions 1969!

The only thing I didn't have was the orange juice. This looks like a great recipe looked a little time consuming since it has to cool between all the layers. Looks like a great day to wrap presents!

 I tried to separate ingredients by layers but my kitchen is too small!

 The first layer was very powdery. Not feeling really confidant about this...

 I had to increase the baking time time but it eventually browned up nicely! Now to wrap presents and wait for it to cool.

What a delicious group of ingredients! Nothing bad can come of this.

Looks like pecan pie going in...

 ...Smells like pecan pie coming out! I was concerned about the 'soft' corners on the left but we are going to hope for the best. And more presents while cooling.

The top layer is basically an icing. It was very thin going on so I stuck it in the fridge to harden. Worked like a charm! My sweetie came over for dinner so these became the dessert and I may have forgotten to get a picture before we dug in. Oops.

These are sooooo sweet! It's hard to tell but I cut these into tiny little bars, maybe an inch long.

Lovely layers! Can you feel the sugar?!

These were fantastic! and super sweet! The bottom layer was similar to a sugar cookie, the middle was like pecan pie, and the top layer was icing. I wasn't certain how the combination of flavors would fit together. But pecans, coconut, oj, and walnuts work well together! Neat.
Depending on your oven, you may have to adjust the baking time for the bottom layer. I am still learning how to use a gas oven. I would also recommend adjusting the top layer for a thicker icing. After being cooled the top layer stayed together nicely and softened up perfectly after sitting out for a few minutes. Soft but not runny.

My Rating: Wonderful! Will make again.

Friends and Family Rating: "Sweet. Different. But delicious." "Tastes almost like pecan pie!"

Crunchy Peanut Bars

I love chocolate but sometimes you need a change. I can't tell you why I chose this recipe except that it seemed easy and I haven't done many from this particular cookbook, The New Antoinette Pope School Cookbook from 1961. I'm still trying to get back into the baking habit and was just looking for something easy to make. Yep, I was not particularly excited. Just gotta bake.

Lots and lots of peanuts! The instructions look long but are actually very simple. One of the great things about this cookbook since it is a 'school' cookbook, the instructions are very detailed and easy to follow.

More peanuts than anything else. I think I need more colorful bowls especially when most of my ingredients are brown.

This creates a very stiff dough. I got a nice arm workout though!

I talked a little about my new and much smaller kitchen. Here's a glimpse at my limited counter space. It makes cooking a bit more interesting and forces me to get creative with my use of space.

 Dough in the pan! Not exactly the correct sized pan but it still works.

 Topped with a healthy layer of peanuts.

I wasn't certain if the peanuts on top would actually stick but most of them did! You must cut this when it is still slightly warm or you will end up with peanut crumbles and not peanut bars. 

 Very crunchy bars. My apartment smells like peanut butter....yum...

These are amazing! So much better than I even expected. I love the crunch and the simple peanut flavor. These also kept very well and stayed nice and crisp for several days.

My Rating: Keeper! These may make a return around the holidays.

Friends & Family Rating: "I love these!" Lots of people loved how crunchy they were and how simple.

Wheaties Nougat Bars

A friend was telling me about a dessert he remembered from childhood. It was a type of no-bake cookie with flaked cereal. I don't think this was it but it was as close as I could get. 

Betty Crocker provided me with this snack recommended for after a midnight supper and promises it is "also delightful with ice cream."

I should have placed the bowl of wheat bran flakes towards the front to make it look healthier.

I used a make shift double boiler. It was not fun. I would recommend just using a regular pot and not bothering with trying to use a double boiler.

So thick! And so difficult to mix! I definitely got a nice arm workout.

There is so much stuff in this mix that I was concerned it would not stay together. I have my doubts about this one. I don't think there is enough marshmallows to make bars, a delicious crumble but not a bar.

Add a nice chocolate layer to hide the bran flakes.

It is really difficult to let it sit and cool. With cookies you can sneak a warm one and no one knows! Kinda hard to do that with a bar.

This little bars are dense! You will need a very sharp knife to cut them. I like the rough edges of the sides better than the cut centers.

This was suppose to make 32 bars. I did not make quite that many but it was close. These are so full of stuff that you will want to make them bite-sized.

All in all not bad. They are not my favorite but I was surprised on how good they were. I do not like whole wheat bran stuff (I am a fan of mushy white bread) but the cereal gave the bars a nice heartiness to them. The chocolate was amazing! Without the top layer these bars would be in the trash. Don't add too thick of a layer or it will overwhelm all the other parts but you must add a nice layer of good quality chocolate. I used dark. So good.

My Rating: Not bad but I probably won't make again.

Friends and Family Rating: "These are pretty good." "Do the Wheaties make them healthy?"

Cinnamon Nut Squares

Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! For my first recipe of 2019 I thought I would go simple and reached for the 1940's Christmas Cookies pamphlet, Cinnamon Nut Squares!

 I love a recipe that uses both the egg yoke and the egg white!

 Everything in lovely shades of brown. All simple and easy ingredients.

 Although the recipes says 'shortening' I'm going to assume they mean butter.  Best way to start a dessert!

The first cinnamon layer is done. It is really thick...kind of looks like a giant cookie...I was expecting more of a brownie-type layer.

 I'm so glad I bought pecans in bulk before the holidays. I love pecans!

Done! And they smell amazing!! You have to cut them while they are still warm but I would recommend waiting until they cool a little. Lesson learned.

 An orange plate was probably not the best way to display these tasty little treats.

I don't know why the combination of cinnamon and pecans never even occurred to me. So good!

These turned out more like a large cookie. I don't know why I was expecting brownies but these were nothing like it.  I had to adjust the baking time a bit by adding 10 more minutes but that may be just my oven. It can be a bit touchy. These were amazing little bites of deliciousness! The bottom layer is a nice soft cookie with just enough cinnamon. I would recommend chopping the pecans smaller.

My rating: Keeper! So easy and delicious and just a little bit different.

Friends and Family Rating : "Personally I think they were very good. But I needed a glass of milk with them." "I love cinnamon!"