Cake Mix Peanut Butter Bars

So yesterday happened, which was a Sunday, and my husband was craving a dessert with peanut butter in it. Specifically, peanut butter bars. The catch? We only had 1 stick of butter. Since we don't go shopping on Sundays I was up for a bit of a challenge in finding something that would satisfy his craving!

But you guys, I did it! And, of course, it's a Six Sisters Stuff recipe. I swear between them and Pioneer Woman they are always saving the day.

I was a little skeptical at the whole cake mix idea of it. I was sure the texture would be way too off to be considered a "bar." The recipe was so dang easy though it was worth it to just go for it and see what happened.

Well, here you have it! Freakin' YUM! I love these things. My husband says that the cake flavor mixed with the peanut butter isn't quite up to his standards, but it satisfied what he was after. I, on the other hand, had zero issue with the cake flavor mixed with the peanut butter! I thought the whole thing was great and we both agreed that the texture was definitely that of a bar!

What you will need:

Bars-

• 1 box vanilla cake mix
• 1 egg
• 1/2 C water
• 1 C peanut butter

Frosting-

• 1 stick (1/2 c) butter, softened
• 1/4 C milk
• 3 T cocoa powder
• 1-2 tsp. vanilla (I used 2)
• 2-3 C powdered sugar (I ended up using 2 1/2)

Directions:

Bars-

• Preheat oven to 350*
• Spray a 13x9 baking dish with non stick spray
• Mix cake mix, egg, water and peanut butter together until mixed well
• Pour and spread mixture into the 13x9 dish
• Bake about 20-25 minutes
• When completely cooled, spread frosting on top

Frosting-

• Mix all ingredients together until a smooth frosting forms. Add powdered sugar as needed for desired consistency
• Spread over the top of the peanut butter bars

Pumpkin Bars

I was in my early twenties when I tried pumpkin bars for the first time. (???!!!!) A sweet neighbor brought some by and at first I thought it was some yummy cake with vanilla frosting. My heart sank a little when I learned it was both pumpkin bars AND cream cheese frosting. I hadn't totally converted to the cream cheese thing at that point.

They sat there and I was a little unwilling to eat them, but I didn't feel happy about tossing them out. So I stuck them in the fridge.

Well, true to self, my "tensies" kicked in at night (my husband and I call our craving for food "tensies" because it always ends up happening around 10pm) so I decided to give them a try.

UMMM heck yes! Where had they been all my life? And cream cheese frosting? What in the world? The most confusing time in my life right there. (Not really...)

I've loved them ever since. But now, I always like them chilled a little. It's just my thing. Maybe a reminder to try new foods or be open to new experiences. I just got deep there for a second!

So here they are. Mmm.

What you will need:

Pumpkin Bars

• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin puree
• 1 2/3 C sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 C canola oil
• 2 C flour
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp. all spice
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda 
• 1 tsp. salt

Cream Cheese Frosting

• 2 C powdered sugar
• 6 oz. cream cheese
• 1/4 C butter, softened
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1-2 T milk 

Directions:

Pumpkin Bars

• Preheat the oven to 350*
• Mix together the pumpkin, sugar, eggs, vanilla and oil
• Add in the cinnamon, all spice and mix
• Add in the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and mix together 
• Spread the batter into an ungreased jelly roll pan
• Bake for 25-30 minutes
• Let cool completely

Cream Cheese Frosting

• Mix all ingredients together until smooth and creamy
• Spread over pumpkin bars when the bars are completely cooled
• Chill in the fridge (optional)

Pecan Pie Bars

Today was Martin Luther King Jr. Day and I wanted to make a treat that was relavent for after our FHE lesson on MLKJ and diversity. I discovered one of his favorite desserts was Pecan Pie. I have never had Pecan Pie, and obviously have never made one. I resolved to try it out anyway and skimmed through some recipes. I found this recipe for Pecan Pie Bars. They just looked sooo good I HAD to try them!

And, since I always try to tie in our treats with our FHE lesson...

"Don't *pecan* anyone! We're all equal!"

("pick-on"...get it..?)

SOOO...it turns out I really really like the pecan pie flavor thing. These were so good! I'll definitely be making them again!

Apologies for the grainy picture :(.

What you will need:

Crust

• 2 C flour
• 1/3 C sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2/3 C cold butter, cut into chunks (10 2/3 T)

Filling

• 3 eggs
• 1 C karo syrup
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1/2 C brown sugar
• 2 T butter, melted
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 2/3 C pecans, chopped

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Prepare a 9x13 baking dish lined with tin foil
• Blend flour, sugar and salt in large bowl
• Cut in cold butter chunks until it forms into coarse crumbs
• Dump the crust mixture into the baking dish and pack it evenly throughout the dish
• Bake for 20 minutes
• While the crust is baking, whisk together eggs, karo syrup, sugar, brown sugar, melted butter and vanilla 
• When that is thoroughly mixed and smooth, add in the chopped nuts and blend
• When the crust is done baking, pour the filling on top of the crust (freshly out of the oven) and spread evenly over the crust
• Bake for another 25-30 minutes
• Allow to cool completely and cut into bars