CARMELITOS AND PEANUT BUTTER NO BAKES!

This week has been busy to say the least. I was able to meet up for coffee with my friend Lauren which was great! She has an awesome blog (check it out at thelittlethingswedo.blogspot.com) and had some good tips for me as a blog newbie. At work, we had training and on Thursday the staff organized a potluck. The teachers made some amazing Mexican food and I made some yummy desserts. I made two recipes that have been on my "to try" list for a long time. The first one is a super easy no-bake peanut butter bar from allrecipes.com . I got the basis for the second recipe from a blog I love called Sisters' Cafe. It is for another bar cookie called, "Carmelitos." I made the no-bakes on Tuesday after a 13 hour day at work, so the fact that they still turned out amazingly delish is a feat in itself! They were eaten within minutes at the potluck and I have already had requests that they become a weekly bring to work treat. The second recipe is for Carmelitos, I got it from a blog I absolutely love called Sister's Cafe. I had to tweak the recipe a bit because it calls for a 11X7 inch pan and I only have a 9X13 inch pan. Also, I didn't like the way the oat/flour mixture tasted after I mixed it up according to the recipe (of course I had to sample the batter!) so I added a few tablespoons white sugar to the mix and it worked out great! I also lined the pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking which turned out to be a good idea. I posted my modified version of the recipe below. They are not the prettiest looking dessert, but they are delicious, carmely, gooey, and oatey with a touch of chocolate. Both of these recipes are very easy and keep well. Enjoy!

Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

allrecipes.com

1 Cup Butter

1 Cup Peanut Butter (Chunky or creamy, I used a mixture of both)

2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

2 Cups Powdered Sugar

1 1/2 Cups Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolate Chips (I used milk but it was SUPER sweet!)

4 Tbsp. Peanut Butter

Melt the butter and 1 cup peanut butter. Add graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Mix well until blended. Press into ungreased 9X13 inch pan. Melt the chocolate chips with 4 tbsp peanut butter (on stove top or in the microwave) and spread on top of graham cracker mixture.

Refrigerate at least one hour. I refrigerated them for two days and they were perfect.

Carmelitos

Adapted from: sisterscafe.blogspot.com

1 Cup Flour

1 1/2 Cup Oats (quick or regular)

3/4 Cup + 3 Tbsp. Brown Sugar

5 Tbsp. Regular Sugar

1 1/3 Cup Chocolate Chips

1 Cup Carmel Topping

3/4 Tsp. Soda

1/2 Tsp Salt

1 cup + 1 Tbsp Butter, melted

4 Tbsp. Flour

Mix flour, oats, sugar, soda, salt and butter. Press half the mixture into a 9X13 inch pan lined with parchment paper and set the other half aside.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Don't over bake!

Remove from oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Blend carmel with the 3 tbsp. flour.

Pour/spread over chocolate chips. Cover with the remaining flour/oat mixture. This part was a little tricky because I wanted it to look perfect so I took balls of the mixture, flattened them, and placed them over the carmel.

It's ok to have spaces between as you can see in the picture because it gives room for the caramel chocolate to ooze out! Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until light brown. Allow to cool and set before slicing.