Saturday, December 6, 2014

Treasure Chest Bars


Adapted from Pillsbury Christmas 2008 Cookbook

Prep: 30 min.
Ready in: 2 hours
Serves: approx. 25-30 bars

BARS:

- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- dash of salt
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 3 ounces milk chocolate 
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries (the original recipe calls for 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained & halved)
- 1 cup coarsely chopped nuts

FROSTING:

- 1/4 cup butter 
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk

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1. Heat oven to 350.  Grease 15x10 inch pan with butter or non-stick spray.  In large bowl, beat all bar ingredients except chocolate, fruit and nuts with electric mixer on medium speed, until smooth.  With spoon, stir in chocolate, fruit and nuts.  Spread evenly in pan.

2.  Bake 25-30 minutes or until light golden brown. 
Meanwhile, in saucepan, heat 1/4 cup butter over medium heat, stirring constantly, until light golden brown.  Remove from heat.  Stir in powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla.  Stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons milk until frosting is smooth and spreadable.

3.  Quickly spread frosting over warm pastry.  Cool completely, about 1 hour.  Cut into bars.






6 comments:

  1. Warning - cannot just eat only one!
    Once again, you pull off a great recipe...

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  2. :D Thanks, Nancy!!! Will have to make these again soon for you and mami! :)

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  3. My mouth is watering again! LOL! Glad I can't gain any weight by just looking at them! LOL!

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    1. haha! Glad you enjoyed looking at them! :) I wish they would hold up in the mail, I would send you some if they did...

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  4. Looks absolutely delicious!

    Are you SURE we can't gain weight from just looking at them!? *wink*

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    1. :D Thanks, starlit!! :)
      No, you wont gain weight from pictures... but you are a photographer, you know this, stop teasing me! :)

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