Thick and Chewy Cookie Bars with Easy Chocolate Frosting

     Let's talk TV shows.
    OK, I will talk and you just nod. Agreed? Agreed.

    Recently, I found out that yet another of my favorite TV dramas was canceled. Wait, not one but two!

     I still haven't forgiven ABC for cancelling "Brothers and Sisters" ( my ultimate favorite ) and here we go again.


    "GCB" and "PanAm" are canceled. Anyone has the number to an ABC's executive producer so I can call and demand an explanation?

     They axed not only my shows but my wind-down time. My kids-are-in-bed-have-a-glass-of-wine time. My don't-have-to-share-my-chocolate-dessert time. And that's unacceptable!  It's an outrage!

     For me, the story with a TV show is like with a book. If it won't catch my attention from the get-go, I will not get into it at all.

    These shows were funny and quick-action from the start. And let's face it: we all loved "Desperate Housewives" for the first couple of seasons. After that, we were just loyal viewers. The time has come to end that saga. We have gotten it out of our systems. But you do not get to dangle a brand-new laugh-inducing TV show and then yank it back without a word! 

   And no, I do not need another ER, SVU or NCIS thankyousomuch.

    Aaaaanyways, after the devastating news, my Hubby found me whisking quite feverishly in the kitchen and knew instantly that something had upset me. I was suddenly craving chocolate frosting.

   With all this drama, I have found the best chocolate frosting recipe! It's super easy to whip up too!

   Having a big bowl of frosting and a huge desire to just inhale it all, I composed myself and tried to find a more civilized way to use it. And I did.

   Thick and chewy bars. That sounds good already!

   They are unexpected fun in your mouth! The cookie bar is a great base for the frosting. They are indeed chewy and thick. Possibilities with these are endless!!

   I always look for a good cookie bar recipe. This one is the best one without the chocolate I have found so far. Oh, wait! Did I say without chocolate? That had to be fixed.
Enter the chocolate frosting.

   THE easiest and THE best chocolate frosting you will ever make and try.

   Oh, and I do not take any responsibility for spooning it right from the bowl to your mouth. Thank you.

The fun little flags were made with help of my daughters. :)

Thick and Chewy Cookie Bars

2 1/8 c ( 10.5 oz. ) all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
12 Tbsp butter, melted and cooled
1 c packed dark brown sugar
1/2 c granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
2 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees.
Line a 13" x 9" baking dish with foil and grease the foil.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients ( flour, soda and salt ). Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine both sugars and melted butter and whisk until smooth. Add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla and whisk again. Now switch to a wooden spoon or spatula and gently fold in the dry ingredients. There can be few flour lumps in the batter. You do not want to overmix it.
Pour the batter into your pan and bake for 27 - 30 minutes, until the top is golden brown and slightly firm.
Let cool for few minutes in the pan and the lift out and place on a wire rack to cool completely.
Frost.

source: Cook's Illustrated


Easy Chocolate Frosting

1/2 c butter
1/3 c milk
6 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa
16 oz. powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

In a medium saucepan, combine butter, milk and cocoa. Whisk and cook for 4 - 5 minutes, until the butter has melted. Remove the saucepan from heat. Pour the cocoa mixture into a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time. Add vanilla and beat until smooth.

source: Southern Living Magazine, April 2011




   Now it's your time to talk. 
   What is your favorite TV show? Were you a fan of "Brothers and Sisters"? Will you join me in the "Bring Back "B&S" club?

Entering this recipe to Kitchen Bootcamp at My Kitchen Addiction.


xoxo,