Almond Bars

These are a very rich, flavorful treat. A little bit goes a long way, but they are so good and just melt in the mouth

Crust:
1 cup butter
2 cups flour
1/2 cup powdered sugar

Mix well.
Pat into even layer in a 9 x 13 pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Filling:
8 oz cream cheese softened
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp almond extract

Beat together well and pour over crust while it is still hot.
Bake for another 15 to 20 minutes.
Cool.

Frosting:
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 tablespoon milk
1 tsp almond extract

Whisk together
Spread evenly on cooled cookies.
Cut into bars.

I lightly sprinkled sliced almonds over the top and put a whole almond on each bar

Banana Bars

This is a GREAT variation of banana bread! From the blog "My Kitchen Cafe". Enjoy!!

Frosted Banana Bars
from allrecipes.com

½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (I used three ripe bananas)
Frosting (use store-bought cream cheese frosting or make your own from the version below)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 10 x 15 inch jellyroll pan or one 9X13 pan and an additional 8X8 pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pan(s). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 cup white sugar (you can use either granulated sugar or confectioners' sugar - the confectioners' sugar tends to dissolve better and not be as grainy but either one works fine)
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream

In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar, salt and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Set aside. In another medium bowl, beat whipped cream until stiff peaks form (it helps to use a chilled bowl and chilled beaters). Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Frost to your heart's delight!

Can't Leave Alone Bars

These are so good, and such a fun change from brownies and cookies..... and they super easy!!

Ingredients

• white cake mix
  
• 1/3 cup oil
  
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 14 oz can od sweetened condensed milk
  
• 1/4 cup butter
  

Directions

1. In mixing bowl, mix: cake mix, oil and eggs
   
2. with floured hands press cake mix into the bottom of a greased 9 by 13 pan
   
3. in a microwave safe bowl put chopped butter, chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk, melt in microwave for 60 seconds, stir then put again in microwave for 45 seconds, and stir again
   
4. pour chocolate mixture over cake mixture and bake at 350, for 22-25 minutes, watch for top to get crackly to be done, cool, and enjoy!!!
   

Yields: whole pan of nummieness

Mom's Brownies

Another yummy treat that brings back memories.

Ingredients

• 2 sticks butter (melted)
• 2 c. white sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 c. cocoa
• 1.5 c. flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
2. There's no real order to the rest as I remember. Mix thoroughly and pour into 9 x 13 greased baking dish.
3. Cook for 20-25 min.

As options add pecans, chocolate chips, and dust with powdered sugar.

Mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies

These are the cookies mom made every Friday (most Friday's) for an after school treat!

Ingredients

• 3/4 c. white sugar
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 1 c. butter/margerine
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2.25 c. flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
• chopped pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Blend butter and sugars.
3. Mix in eggs.
4. Mix in vanilla.
5. Add remaining dry ingredients.
6. Spoon onto cookie sheet and bake for about 10 minutes (just keep an eye on them)

For a variation spread all the dough evenly into a 9" x 13" baking dish and cook for 20-25 minutes for cookie bars (my personal favorite).