Best-Ever Bar Cookies and Brownies

By Rebecca Kracke Gordon
March 28, 2011
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick
Leave these chewy bar cookies and brownies unattended and they'll disappear faster than you can say "But those were for the bake sale!"
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Our Best Bar Cookies and Brownies

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Our Best Bar Cookies and Brownies will be the hot item on your bake sale table. Trust us, you'll definitely want to make an extra batch or two to keep for yourself.

First up, Tequila-Lime-Coconut Macaroon Bars. A tropical trio makes this a summery dessert. Garnish with powdered sugar and lime rind curls for an impressive finish.

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Pecan Pie Bars

Credit: Photo: Helen Norman

Recipe: Pecan Pie Bars

These chewy, bite-size bars require just 20 minutes of prep time.

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Chewy Peanut Bars

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Chewy Peanut Bars

We weren't exactly excited to test our old microwave column recipes again, but these chocolate-peanut blondies truly surprised us. If you want even more peanut delight in your life, try our easy peanut butter cookies, too.

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Caramel-Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Caramel-Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

From the kitchen of Jennifer Mchenry, bakeorbreak.com

"Growing up in Mississippi, baking was a way of life. If someone you love is a fan of chocolate and caramel, these are a quick, easy way to create a little happiness."

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Glazed Fruitcake Bars

Credit: Hector M. Sanchez

Recipe: Glazed Fruitcake Bars

These dense, chewy fruitcake bars are a fresh version of the kind passed around at holiday parties. We love raisins and dried cherries in this recipe, but use your favorite combinations.

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Layered Eggnog Blondies

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Layered Eggnog Blondies

These treats have a split personality: 1 part blondie, 1 part eggnog cheesecake. Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container up to one week.

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Peanut Butter-Chocolate-Oatmeal Cereal Bars

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

It's hard to beat the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. Mix in some peanuts and oatmeal and you'll have a more nutritious treat.

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Strawberry-Lemon Shortbread Bars

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Strawberry-Lemon Shortbread Bars

Shortbread, strawberry preserves, and cheesecake make up the three layers in this delicious bar recipe. You can easily refrigerate the leftovers, but don't expect to have any!

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Simple Brownies with Chocolate Frosting

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Simple Brownies with Chocolate Frosting

Jazz up your simple brownies with chopped pecans and an easy Chocolate Frosting.

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Ginger-Lemon Bars with Almond Streusel

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Ginger and lemon give these bars a little unexpected zip. Try this easy recipe for a weekday dessert or a summer party.

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Hello Dolly Bars

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Layered with a graham cracker crust, pecans, chocolate chips, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk, this Hello Dolly Bars recipe will surely have people begging for more.

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Marbled Brownies

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Create marbled brownies by swirling in a cream cheese mixture to your simple brownie batter. Not only do they look impressive, but they're extra delicious, too.

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Peach Melba Shortbread Bars

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Peach Melba Shortbread Bars

This easy recipe puts peach melba into a bar form with a winning combination of shortbread and raspberry and peach preserves. Garnish with sliced almonds and powdered sugar.

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Caramel Pecan Brownies

Credit: Photo: Jennifer Davick

Next time you make simple brownies, try topping with caramel and toasted pecans. This recipe is easier than you might think.

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Orange Dreamsicle Crispy Treats

Credit: Photo: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Orange Dreamsicle Crispy Treats

Baker Robin Wilson says, "You can also use yellow and pink food coloring gel to make peach. Practice on a piece of wax paper, adding a little at a time to achieve your perfect shade. I serve these to family and friends, and there's never a square left."

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Mississippi Mud Brownies

Credit: Jennifer Davick

Transform simple brownies into Mississippi Mud Brownies by adding toasted pecans and miniature marshmallows.

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Apple Hello Dolly Bars

Credit: Photo: Luca Trovato

Recipe: Apple Hello Dolly Bars

Everyone loves the chocolate, coconut, and pecan layers of Hello Dolly Bars. But throw in a layer of chopped Granny Smiths and people will rave!

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Chewy Brownies

Credit: Photo: Hector Sanchez

This thin brownie makes killer ice-cream sandwiches. They also freeze well in a zip-top freezer bag and will slip into a small space in your cooler.

Recipe: Chewy Brownies

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