---

Graduation parties are here, there and everywhere. It’s time, maybe past the time to be thinking about food for a bunch. We have been at a lot of parties that, rather than having traditional ‘Congratulations’ cake, a variety of bars were served. A lot less messy to serve than cake. With our graduation parties, family members volunteered to bring bars to help out the hostess and host... Mom and Dad. For varieties sake, I gave each recipe for a particular kind of bar so we didn’t have three 9x13 inch pans of brownies.

If you don’t have a graduation party to go to, you might want to make one of these pans of bars and have friends over for coffee or bring them to your church for after service coffee in the fellowship hall.

+++++

CHOCOLATE ‘N’
COCONUT BARS
Crust:
1 c. flour
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened

Filling:
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. crunchy peanut butter
2 eggs
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. flaked coconut
1/2 c. chocolate chips

In a small mixer bowl, combine crust ingredients. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is crumbly (one to two minutes, don’t overbeat.) Press on bottom of greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake for 12-17 minutes or until edges are lightly brown (Watch closely so the edges don’t get too brown as they will get hard.) Meanwhile, in same mixer bowl, combine all filling ingredients except coconut and chips. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often until well mixed. Stir in coconut and chips; remove from oven and pour over crust. Return to oven; continue baking for 20-30 minutes or until filling is set and golden brown. Cool completely. Makes three dozen bars.

+++++

CARAMEL
PEANUT BARS
1-1/2 c. each, quick cooking oats and flour
1-1/4 c. packed brown sugar
3/4 t. baking soda
1/4 t. salt
3/4 c. butter, melted
1-14 oz. pkg. caramels
1/2 c. whipping cream
1-1/2 c. chocolate chips
3/4 c. chopped peanuts
In a large bowl, combine first five ingredients; stir in butter. Set aside one cup for topping. Press rest of mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Meanwhile, combine caramels and cream in a heavy saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Cook over low heat or microwave, stirring often. Sprinkle chips and peanuts over the crust; top with caramel mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining oat mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Don’t overbake. Cool completely before cutting. Don’t refrigerate them as the bars will be too hard to cut. Makes three dozen.

+++++

BLACK ‘N WHITE CHEESECAKE BARS
2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. butter, softened
2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1-8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1-14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 egg
1 t. vanilla

In a double boiler or microwave, melt chips and butter stirring occasionally. Stir in graham cracker crumbs. Set aside 1/4 c. for topping. Press remaining crumbs into an ungreased 9x13 inch baking pan. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in remaining ingredients. Pour over crust. Sprinkle with remaining crumb mixture, here and there. Bake at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.
Refrigerate three hours or until completely chilled. Cut into bars, store in fridge. Makes four dozen.

+++++

TOASTED PECAN
TOFFEE BARS
Bars:
2 c. flour
1 c. each, firmly packed brown sugar and butter, softened
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 t. vanilla
3/4 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. milk chocolate chips

Topping:
1/2 c. milk chocolate chips
1/4 c. chopped pecans, toasted

For bars, in a large mixing bowl, combine all bar ingredients except pecans and chips. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is crumbly, two to three minutes. Stir in nuts and chips with a spoon. Press on bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.
For topping, sprinkle chips over bars. Let stand five minutes to melt. Slightly swirl chips with the top of a paring knife as they melt, leaving some whole for a marbled. Do not spread chips. Sprinkle nuts over top. Cool completely. Cut into bars. Makes about three dozen bars.

Thought for the Day: To all the young people (and older people) who are graduating this year: There is so much out there to focus on as you go on to more learning experiences, regardless if it’s more schooling or getting into jobs to make your way through the trials that you have not faced before. I am blown away by all the technology out there. Be strong, be brave, work hard, be trustworthy, smile and laugh a lot. You’d be surprised how it helps when you’re in a tough spot. There will be a lot of challenges ahead of you. Get a good foothold and strive to do your very best. Good luck to each and every one of you. Let Him guide you on your path through life. He’s always there.

---