Tuesday, March 03, 2009

TWD--Rewind, One Year Ago--Snickery Squares (No Cake To Get Me Fired)

First of all, my apologies to Lyb of and then I do the dishes for not making her pick this week of Dorie's Chocolate Armagnac Cake--The Cake That Got Me Fired, check out her cake and the recipe on the link to her blog.  There were quite a few reasons I chose not to make this cake, but I must say the picture of it in the book looks amazing and I can't wait to see what all the other bloggers have done with this chocolate cake!  I don't drink or even buy alcohol, so that was one of the reasons I decided not to make the cake--not knowing what to use as a substitute.  There was also the fact that this cake had 12 prunes in it.   Hmmm.  I hear you can't even tell, but didn't feel like buying them.   Probably the biggest reason I decided not to make it was the fat factor.  Now I realize being a part of TWD means baking something yummy, gooey and pretty much fattening each week, but I feel I would have been tempted to eat too much of this cake.    That said, what did I decide to do--bake up one of the things I missed before I joined the group.  Looking through the recipes I missed before joining last September, I was drawn to page 120 in the book, Snickery Squares.  I decided I'd make them, especially after noticing they were what was made exactly one year ago. 

Snickery Squares are Dorie's take on the popular Snickers candy bar.  They are a bit differnt in that they have a shortbread crust, kind of like Twix (which I love!).  These were simple to make (my way) and they are GOOD!  Good enough that I will be "getting rid" of them ASAP!  After the shortbread layer, there is a Dulce de leche layer, studded with my pick, toasted almonds (I just happen to have a ton of almonds and no peanuts right now.)  After the caramel layer, a layer of chocolate is spread on the top, then generously sprinkled with more toasted, chopped almonds.  Who would not love that?  (Sorry nut allergy people!)

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These were made in an 8 inch square pan and I kind of think the shortbread layer was a little thick, so when I make these again sometime, I will try them in a 9 inch pan.  In the recipe, it was suggested to make a caramel-glaze for the nuts.  I decided not to do that and just used toasted almonds.  And what could be better than dulce de leche?  Of course, chocolate with it!  I used a semi-sweet chocolate instead of bittersweet.  Here's my version of the recipe, but please, go buy Baking From My Home to Yours, by Dorie Greenspan.

Snickery Squares, adapted from Dorie Greenspan

For the crust:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons powdered sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1 large egg yolk, lightly beaten

For the filling:

about 1 cup toasted almonds

13 oz. can store-bought dulce de leche caramel

For the topping:

7 oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan with foil.  Spray lightly with cooking spray.

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugars and salt.  Add the cut up butter and pulse about 12 times, just until mixture looks like coarse meal.  Pour the yolk over the ingredients and pulse until the dough forms clumps and curds--stop before the dough comes together in a ball.

Turn the dough into the pan and gently press it evenly across the bottom of the pan.  Prick the dough all over with a fork.  Bake for 15-20 minutes. (I did mine 18 minutes.)  Cool on a wire rack to room temperature.

Toast the almonds (I used the microwave).  After they have cooled, chop them, but not too fine.   Spread the dulce de leche  evenly over the shortbread and sprinkle over about 3/4 cup of the nuts.  Press down to nestle them into the caramel.  Smooth out top again.

Melt the chocolate in a microwave safe dish, stirring after 20-30 second intervals.  Once melted, add the cut up butter in pieces and stir until each piece is melted before adding more.  Smooth the chocolate over the dulce de leche.  Chop the remaining almonds more finely.   Sprinkle them over the chocolate layer.  Refrigerate until set.  Remove from pan using edges of foil.  Cut into desired sized bars.

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See ya next week for Tuesday's With Dorie with some Lemon Custard.

27 comments:

Lisa Ernst said...

These look fantastic! I love bars with a shortbread crust, and the caramel, nuts and chocolate are the perfect addition. By the way, you didn't really get fired did you? :-)

Megan said...

Fabulous! I would love to try these - Snickers Bars are one of David's favorite candy bars!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Yep, what's not to love about them! The cake must be amazing, but hey give me a choice between a slice of cake and a square of those and I'll get the bars!

Katrina said...

Lisa, I did not get fired, that's what Dorie said in her title of the cake. She tells about it in the book. Guess the cake was that good!

Jennifer said...

YUM! I wasn't with TWD for the Snickery Squares, but I HAVE to do a rewind and try them!!!! They look fantastic!

Sara said...

I was literally just looking at this recipe last night, glad it came out well for you!

Pamela said...

They look great! I have everything to make these and I want to make them soon. But, like you, I know I will need to get them out of my house ASAP. They look dangerous!

chocolatechic said...

This is one of the things that I have been wanting to make, but I hadn't joined when then did this one.

Lisa Ernst said...

Ha! I thought maybe members were required to make a certain amount of the weekly recipes or they would be kicked out. I've watched your weekly postings for Tuesdays with Dorrie and I have to admit that some of the choices have seemed pretty strange, but I guess that's part of the fun of it.

Elyse said...

All good reasons for avoiding the chocolate cake. Looks like you ended up with a treat just as tempting, though!! These snickery bars look delicious, and I've actually been eying them for quite a while. After seeing how good yours look, I think I'll just have to make them (and similarly, give them away as quickly as possible)!

Anonymous said...

Oh geez I love these! I love the name too, they sound awesome!

Welcome to our crazy blessed life said...

mmmmm I love these! Looks like yours turned out perfectly! This was the first recipe that turned me on to TWD!

Jennifer said...

Wow, I must make those, they look great! I, too, am a newer addition to TWD, so I missed out on them. I think the almonds look great. Of course, maybe not being a peanut lover (and not wanting to gain weight!), I should stick with the peanuts. (The kids and hubby like peanuts)

Anonymous said...

I was actually not tempted to eat this cake but I am SO tempted to eat those! I have to do this rewind! They look great!

Anonymous said...

Ooh..I loved these. Your's look great. Thanks for the reminder.

gluten free pammy said...

oh wow your goodies look great,pam

Jaime said...

yum you did a great job with these! but i have bad news for you - these are probably just as bad re: the "fat factor" as the armagnac cake :P

Katrina said...

Jaime,
I know these are probably pretty fat-ful, too, so I've only had a bite and will not eat anymore.

Anonymous said...

Great photos! I've been with TWD almost from the beginning, but these bars are one of the things that I missed. I really must make them one day.

The Peanut Butter Boy said...

These aren't quite low-fat either but I won't hold it against you because I still want 5 of them immediately.

Judy said...

Wow, do these look great. Too dangerous to have them here. I know I would eat them all. Snickers are my fave.

TeaLady said...

Those look incredible. I will have to try these. I missed them too.

AmyRuth said...

Your bars look yummy. Perfect for a snack after supper. he he
AmyRuth

Peabody said...

Those were like the best. My husband always asked for them. I better not let him see yours or I know what I will be making tomorrow. ;)

Debbie said...

Wow..shortbread crust, chocolate, nuts...it sounds perfect and looks wonderful!!

test it comm said...

Those squares look amazing!

Olivia said...

I've made some snickers bars before but the ones you made look much better. I like that you have shortbread as the foundation b/c it makes them really tall. Now I'm needing a snickers bar!