1-2-3 Bars

Cookie exchanges, bake sales, potlucks, classroom treats, picnics, birthdays.......I've made 1-2-3 Bars for all of these reasons and more!  These bars are delicious, no-bake and easy as 1-2-3!

This is a tried and true family favorite recipe.  I have made these bars so many times over the years that I have this recipe memorized.  I don't even have to pull it out anymore.  I have been asked for this recipe many times, too.  I made these bars for my oldest daughter to share at school for her birthday and her teacher sent a note home asking for this recipe.  I've made and given these bars away as neighbor gifts and I've had my neighbors ask me for this recipe.  I've made these bars for potlucks and picnics and have given this recipe to many friends.  You know you have a great recipe when others take the time to ask for it!

I was first introduced to these yummy treats by my husband's family.  My husband and I met in college and after dating for a whole 3 1/2 months, we got engaged!  I flew to his family's home over Christmas break to meet everyone.  From this visit I found out that my husband came from a wonderful family and  also that my mother-in-law (to be) was a wonderful cook!  She has shared lots of delicious recipes with me over the years, including this one for 1-2-3 Bars. 

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
6 cups Special K cereal
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
Directions
1. In a large bowl measure out Special K cereal, set aside. Mix corn syrup and sugar together in saucepan. Heat mixture until sugar is melted and no crystals remain. (I like to bring it just barely to a boil). 

2. Remove saucepan from heat and stir peanut butter into sugar mixture until smooth. Pour mixture over cereal and mix well until cereal is well coated. Pour into a buttered 9x13 inch pan. Press mixture evenly in pan (I use my hands--butter them first to keep it from sticking).

3. Mix together chocolate chips and butterscotch chips. Melt slowly in a double boiler or microwave safe bowl stirring until well blended and creamy. If using microwave, be sure to use 1/2 power setting and stir every 30 seconds AFTER first 2 minutes of heating. Be careful not to overheat. Spread melted chips over top of cereal mixture. Cool. Cut into bars when chocolate topping is set. 

It's as easy as 1-2-3!

Source: mother in law

Pouring the sugar/peanut butter mixture onto the Special K cereal.

Spreading the melted chocolate and butterscotch chips on top.

For a bake sale, I decorated the bars with candy. Push the candy into the chocolate layer right after you spread it (before it sets up).

The Results...
A chewy, sweet, peanutty bottom layer with a smooth chocolate and butterscotch flavored top.  If you love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, then you're gonna love 1-2-3 bars!  I like the extra flavor the butterscotch chips add to the chocolate layer on top.  There's a reason these have been a family favorite for so many years.  Actually there are two reasons, 1-2-3 Bars are so easy and so delicious!

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Peanut Butter Popcorn

Christmas is coming!  Just 7 days left to get everything ready.  This is a busy time of year, but I love it!  One of the things I love is making and giving away homemade treats.  This week I'm planning on spending a lot of time in the kitchen.  We have some holiday recipes that we make each year.  It just wouldn't be Christmas without them, but we also like to try a few new recipes, too.

This is a new recipe that we tried this year.  I want to share it with you because first of all, it is sooooo delicious!  And it would make a great treat for giving away or for taking to holiday parties.  Once you taste it,  you'll find lots of other reasons to make Peanut Butter Popcorn all year long. :)

Ingredients (printable recipe)
1/2 cup unpopped corn 
1 1/2 cups dry roasted peanuts (it's still delicious without the peanuts, too)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions
Pop corn and remove any unpopped kernels. Place in a large bowl or a 9X13 pan and stir in peanuts. Keep warm in a 250 degree oven.

In a heavy saucepan, combine sugar, honey and corn syrup.  Bring mixture to boiling, continue boiling for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.  Do not boil too long or your popcorn will be rock hard. Remove from heat.   

Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.  Immediately pour over popcorn and stir to coat. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Sources The Girl Who Ate Everything and Crafty Dr. Mom

We like popping popcorn on the stove top with a Whirley Pop. 

Having an extra large bowl is nice for this recipe.

After mixing the popcorn, I poured it onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper to help it cool faster. Then, I put some of the popcorn in holiday bags to give away.

The Results...  
I've made this a couple of times both with and without the peanuts.  Both ways are delicious.  Next time, I want to drizzle some melted chocolate on top and turn it into Chocolate/Peanut Butter Popcorn.  Doesn't that sound amazing! 

Our family loves this popcorn.  I should warn you that it is very addicting.  We plan on making more this week for a family movie night.  Peanut Butter Popcorn makes your favorite holiday movies even sweeter. :)  We give this recipe 5 stars and 6 thumbs up!

Update...
I made this again and drizzled melted chocolate on top.  After mixing the Peanut Butter Popcorn, I poured it onto 2 baking sheets lined with wax paper.  Then, I chopped about 1 1/2 cups of Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Candy Making Bar and followed the microwave instructions on the box.  I drizzled the melted chocolate on top of the popcorn and let it set-up.  Peanut Butter Popcorn is delicious, but Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn is even better!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn. It's hard to resist!

I share recipes at these linky parties.

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No-Bake Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

Just in time for Back to School!  These granola bars could be tossed in a lunch box, eaten as an after school snack or a quick breakfast with a glass milk on those rushed mornings.  This recipe looks easy and I don't even have to turn on the oven.  The kids might be back to school, but it's still hot outside.

Ingredients (printable recipe)

2 cups quick cooking oats--not rolled oats!

1 cup crispy rice cereal
1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1/4 cup honey*
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

4 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Cooking spray

Directions

In a large bowl, stir oats and rice cereal together. Set aside. In a small pot, melt butter, honey and brown sugar together over medium high heat until it comes to a bubble. Reduce the heat and cook 2 minutes. Pour in vanilla and stir. Pour over dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour into lightly greased (cooking spray works well) 8x8 pan and press out evenly, packing mixture together. Sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Press chips down lightly with a rubber spatula. Cool on a countertop to room temperature for two hours or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in parchment or plastic wrap and store at room temperature. 

*Spray measuring cup with cooking spray before adding honey. The honey will slide right out!

Update: We still love these granola bars. So much that I now double the recipe and use a 9x13 pan to have enough bars for our family of six.

Adapted from Lauren's Latest 

OK, you can see that the chocolate chips aren't completely set, yet. We couldn't wait!

The Results... 
Super easy to make and delicious!  I already had most of these ingredients on hand.  The first pan went so quickly, I had to make a second!  Everyone liked these, even my husband who isn't usually a granola bar fan.  This recipe is a keeper.  I know I'll be making these again and again!

I share recipes at these linky parties.

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No-Bake Butterscotch-Pretzel Bars

Summer is swiftly passing by.  School will be starting in just a couple of weeks.  My oldest is starting junior high this year.  That makes me feel old!  I think everyone is ready to jump back into their school schedules.  My 8 yr. old can't wait to see all her friends and teachers again.  My 4 yr. old asks me almost everyday when preschool will start.  We'll be back to early mornings, packing lunches, homework and everything else that comes with the school year.  The kids are ready, but am I?!

No-Bake Butterscotch-Pretzel Bars look like they'd be great in a lunchbox or as an after school treat for the kids---and mom.  Moms need treats, too.  And don't forget Dad.  He'd probably enjoy one of these in his lunch too!  Really, who doesn't like a treat every once in a while?  Share some with your friends, neighbors or co-workers (as long as they're not allergic to peanuts).  

Ingredients (Printable Recipe)

Nonstick cooking spray
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 cups crushed pretzels (about 6-1/2 ounces)
1 (11 ounce package--about 2 cups) butterscotch-flavored pieces
1/4 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup coarsely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup chopped peanuts

Directions 

1. Line a 13x9x2-inch pan with foil. Lightly coat the foil with cooking spray; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, stir together powdered sugar, peanut butter, and melted butter. Stir in 2 cups crushed pretzels. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of prepared pan.

2. In a heavy medium saucepan, combine butterscotch pieces and whipping cream. Stir over low heat until pieces are just melted.

3. Carefully spoon and spread butterscotch mixture over crumb mixture in pan. Sprinkle 1/2 cup coarsely crushed pretzels and the peanuts evenly over butterscotch mixture; press gently.

4. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Cut into bars to serve. Store in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Source Better Homes and Gardens

The Results...
Salty and sweet.  Satisfy both cravings at once!  These bars are easy to put together and you don't have to turn on the oven.  But, they do require 2 hours in the refrigerator to set-up, plan accordingly.  They were a little crumbly when I cut into them, but I knew the kids thought these were good since they asked to lick the crumbs from the cutting board.  These bars are very tasty and definitely worth sharing.

Looking ahead, I think these would be great for the holidays, too---cookie exchanges/neighbor gifts.  This recipe is a keeper!

This recipe is featured at:
Mix it up Monday @ Flour Me with Love   
Mom's Test Meal Mondays @ Mom's Test Kitchen 
Foodie Friends Friday--Click Star 

This recipe is also shared at: 
 
and these linky parties.

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