Budget Candy Bar Bars

barcookies

What You Need:

1 C brown sugar, packed
2/3 C of butter
1/4 C light corn syrup
1 C of peanut butter, divided
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 C quick cooking oats
1 (12 oz.) pkg. semisweet chocolate baking chips
1/2 C of chopped nuts

How to Make It:

Preheat the oven to 375 and lightly spray a 13X9 baking pan with cooking spray.
Stir together in a saucepan the brown sugar, butter and corn syrup.
Place the pan over medium low heat and stirring constantly cook 2 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat.
Stir in the 1/4 C of peanut butter and the vanilla.
Pour the mixture over the oats in a large bowl and stir until combined.
Press the mixture into the bottom only of the prepared pan.
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until just beginning to brown.
Place the chocolate chips into a saucepan over low heat.
Add the remaining peanut butter and stirring constantly cook for 2 minutes.
Spread the mixture over the baked crust and sprinkle the top evenly with the nuts.
Cool on a wire rack until the chocolate is firm.

Makes 15 bars

These little bars are a sweet treat that can take the place of those expensive candy bars. As a dessert these will put a smile on everyone’s face while you count the dollars you saved. Use whatever baking chips you have on hand such as white or mint chocolate chips or even butterscotch. Do the same with the nuts. Whatever you have on hand will work just fine.

Preparation Time: approximately 30 minutes
Cooking Time: approximately 14 minutes
Total Time: approximately 44 minutes

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 166; Fat 9g; Saturated Fat 4g; Carbohydrates 16g; Fiber 2g; Protein 3g;
Cholesterol 7 mg; Sodium 64 mg

Chocolate on Chocolate Angel Food Cake

chocangel

chocangelWhat You Need:

1 C + 1 T of flour
1 1/3 C confectioners’ sugar
1/3 C of unsweetened cocoa powder
2/3 t ground ginger
9 large egg whites
1 t of cream of tartar
1/4 t of salt
1 T of vanilla extract
1 C + 2 T of sugar
8 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 T light corn syrup
1 C heavy cream

How to Make It:

Place the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Sift together the flour, confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder
Place the egg whites and cream of tartar into a separate mixing bowl.
Add the salt and vanilla.
Use an electric mixer on medium speed and whisk together until soft peaks form.
Place the mixer on high speed and slowly add in 1/3 of the sugar mixing as you add.
When the sugar is mixed in slowly add another 1/3 of the sugar.
When that sugar is mixed in, add in the remaining sugar and mix until medium peaks form.
Fold in the flour mixture until moist and blended in well.
Pour the batter into an ungreased angel food cake pan.
Bake for 35 minutes or until the cake bounces back easily when lightly touched.
Invert the cake on a wire rack but leave the cake covered with the pan until cool.
To make the glaze place the semisweet chocolate into a mixing bowl.
Pour the syrup over the chocolate and let set.
Place the heavy cream in a saucepan.
Place the pan over medium high heat and bring it to a steady boil.
Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and whisk until smooth and creamy.
Unmold the cake and turn it right side up.
Spoon the glaze over the cake allowing it run down the sides.

Makes 8 servings

Remember not to grease your angel food cake pan. It is important for the egg whites to stick to the sides of the pan so the cake can rise. Make your cake an eye catcher by garnishing it with maraschino cherries or candied ginger.

Unusual Halloween Popcorn Balls

popcorn

popcornWhat You Need:

4 qt. popcorn, popped
2 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate
2 C of sugar
1/2 C light corn syrup
1 C of water

How to Make It:

Set the oven to preheat to 200 degrees.
Pour the popcorn into a large heat proof bowl and place the bowl in the oven to keep warm.
Place the chocolate squares into a heavy saucepan.
Place the saucepan over low heat.
Heat the chocolate 5 minutes stirring constantly until completely melted.
Stir in the sugar and corn syrup.
Add the water and stir until all the ingredients are blended together well.
Over medium heat cook until it comes to a steady boil, stirring constantly.
Cook until a hard ball stage or 250 degrees on a candy thermometer.
Take the popcorn from the oven and add the chocolate mixture.
Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the popcorn is evenly coated.
When the popcorn is cool enough form it into 3 inch balls.
Cool the balls on a wire rack.

These are different from the popcorn balls we grew up eating. To keep the popcorn from sticking to your hands dip your fingers in cold water. These popcorn balls can be wrapped in plastic warp and tied with a Halloween ribbon to hand out to trick or treaters.

Makes 1 dozen