Tuesday, February 24, 2009

TWD--Caramel Crunch Bars???

This week's Tuesday's With Dorie recipe was chosen by Whitney from What's Left On the Table, you can get the recipe on Whitney's blog or buy Dorie's book!  The recipe is for what Dorie is calling Caramel Crunch Bars, but well, I guess these do have some crunch, but no caramel.  The recipe calls for sprinkling toffee bits on top, but I decided to go with something else as my kids (and Kevin) don't really care for toffee bits. 

These bars are like shortbread with chocolate pieces in it, "frosted" with melted chocolate and topped with--well, really whatever you want.  Since I didn't go for the toffee bits, I wanted something that would "make" my boys eat them.  Hmm, what do they love most of all---SPRINKLES!  They will eat anything with sprinkles on it.

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Dorie suggest bittersweet chocolate in the bars and for the topping.  She did suggest also using a really good quality milk chocolate as well.  I used Hershey's Special Dark for the chopped chocolate in the bars and just a good semi sweet chocolate for the top.  I didn't want to use bittersweet to make sure the boys would like and eat these.  I left out the espresso and cinnamon.  The recipe was simple and the cookies are buttery--even to almost a caramel-y flavor--and crunchy.  These are GOOD!  And bad. ; )  I only tasted a small amount.  The boys really like/liked them and I will be happy to let them keep eating them (just so I won't).  I really could just keep downing these.

Oh, and I decided to do about half with chopped walnuts instead of the sprinkles.  I prefer the nutty ones, but the sprinkles are definitely colorful and fun!  There isn't much more to say--thanks, Whitney for a simple and yummy pick this week!  Check out what all the other baker's came up with this week by clicking on the link and scrolling down to the TWD Baker's list.  Dorie also suggested making ice cream sandwiches with these, which I was going to do, but ran out of time today, so we just served them with ice cream.

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Hey, I really do still have four boys and an amazing husband, just nothing they're doing has been worthy of taking pictures, especially since sickness has been going around--and well, I'm tired of it!   Crossing fingers that we're about done with it, well, except Kevin, he just got it today.  Have a good week, all.

31 comments:

Amanda said...

Your look absolutely perfect!

Mine were delicious but very crisp. I ended up using a dark chocolate on the top and they still were all gobbled up. If I had used milk chocolate I don't think they would have lasted until the next day! I think I chopped my chocolate too small for the shortbread as my dough was pretty dark compared to yours.

Darius T. Williams said...

Um, what's better than sprinkles...NOTHING - lol.

Pamela said...

I like the sprinkles, that's for sure! The walnuts are a good sub, too. I enjoyed these better the next day, once the coffee and the cinnamon mellowed a bit. Hope everyone is feeling good!

Nancy said...

I love the sprinkles! I bet there are lots of ways to change this recipe up. I agree with you about where's the caramel? Crunchy, yes, but caramel...?

Anonymous said...

Oh man I want the rainbow sprinkles one!!! I am a sucker for sprinkles...

Elyse said...

Here's hoping the sickness leaves your house soon! In other news, your bars turned out preciously. I love the sprinkles...so festive! And the chopped walnuts look yummy, too!

Tiffany Winters said...

See now, I would go for almonds on top... or toffee. I can't believe your family doesn't like the good stuff. But I thought it was funny that you said that what they were doing wasn't "worthy" of posting. I laughed out loud.

vibi said...

Cute! Nice touch... the sprinkles!

chocolatechic said...

I love your sprinkles.


Your last picture is perfection!

TeaLady said...

Sprinkles!! Nuts!! what could be better than that. Look yummy!

Jules Someone said...

Those look great. We really like them with nuts on top as well.

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said...

Very colorful and so much fun!

Megan said...

What is it with boys and sprinkles? Alexander will eat almost any dessert if it's covered with sprinkles. Way to go Mom!

Jennifer said...

The sprinkles are cute, but I'm with you, I'd love the walnut ones.

Anonymous said...

You're a genius. I omitted the toffee bits in an effort to get my youngest to eat one. He didn't. but he probably would have with sprinkles.

Anonymous said...

I love the sprinkles and the walnuts.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

My son is all about the sprinkles, too. It doesn't matter what it is, it's wonderful if it's got sprinkles on it. Maybe I should try sprinkles on broccoli....

Maria said...

Love the sprinkles! I haven't made these and maybe I shouldn't...I know I would be tempted to eat them all!

Anonymous said...

The sprinkles are cute. The nuts might make them a little healthy..just a little?

Anonymous said...

OMW...all those bars look fantastic. You are such fun with your sprinkles...I bet the boys loved those...they just look like a party!

Anonymous said...

My kids saw the sprinkles on yours, and now they want to make the cookies again that way! They're very colorful.

Anonymous said...

I haven't used sprinkles forever but those bars look so tasty that it makes me want to go to the store and buy some sprinkles and make something fun!

Anonymous said...

you can't go wrong with sprinkles. both versions look delicious.

Nancy/n.o.e said...

Love the sprinkles ones and the nuts ones too. Funny how you want to make your boys eat cookies!! Sorry about all the sickness, ugh. Stuff has been going around here too, but I don't have any kids at home anymore for that "yipes, I'm stuck" feeling...
Nancy

Sara said...

You made these look so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Oh very, very nice...lurve these bars, especially the sprinklies.

Tanya said...

Yum! They look wonderful!

Cathy said...

Oh, can't go wrong with sprinkles! They look so fun, and the walnut ones sound great too! I used regular old mediocre milk chocolate chips (Toll House) and we loved these anyway. I hope that everyone in your house is feeling better soon. It really is touch-and-go every day with young kids this time of year, isn't it?

Carla said...

I skipped these week because I didn't have the extra money for toffee bits, and I never thought of sprinkles or walnuts! Now I will have to buy some butter and bake these. Yours look great (and fun).

Clumbsy Cookie said...

They make me think of twix bars without the caramel layer. I'm sure I'd agree with you in that they're good AND bad! Hope sickness goes away!

test it comm said...

More great looking treats!