Lately I’ve been doing some baking, which isn’t at all like me since I’m not a fan of the precise measuring and timing required for producing baked goods (really, I just don’t like following directions.) Plus it’s been crazy hot outside. But when the sweet tooth comes calling, I have practically no resistance. To keep our kitchen from getting too overheated during my temporary baking binge, I’ve been sticking to simple recipes. No complicated ingredients or fancy gadgets, minimum time in the oven (30 minutes or less) and no frosting either. Oh, and there’s another big bonus…only one pan to wash!
Here’s a look at my first attempt at baking Hello Dolly Bars, straight out of the oven.
Close-up view of the layered, sweet-gooey goodness.
Here’s the recipe just in case you’d like to bake something sweet, chewy, chocolately, buttery, crunchy and totally delectable…and quick too.
Hello Dolly Bars
1 stick butter
1 cup graham cracker crumbs (I add an extra 1/4 cup for a more substantial bottom crust)
1 cup chocolate chips (I like semi-sweet)
1 cup coconut (lightly packed)
1 cup nuts (I use pecans, chopped roughly into half pieces)
1 can condensed milk
Melt butter in bottom of 13×9 cake pan (you can do this part by placing the butter in the pan and into the oven while it’s preheating.) In order given, spread each ingredient. Do not stir. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes. Mark squares while warm. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
After baking a double batch (always like to make one to keep and one to share) I had two mini-tin cans leftover from the condensed milk used in the recipe. And it just so happens that I needed a couple of small containers for some feathers that I had floating around in my studio, so I recycled these tins into handy mini-storage buckets. My collage tin buckets were inspired by a project (Tinnies) created by the amazing artist, Lisa Kaus.
For one of my cans I used a rusty binder clip to attach a wire handle instead of punching holes through the tin. Coming up with different options is all part of the fun for me.
It’ s good to get new ideas from other artists and it’s even better to take this inspiration and give it your own spin and style. Learning and sharing ideas, inspiration, techniques – this exchange can often spark more creativity and good energy to flow.
17 Comments, Comment or Ping
Love the buckets, and using a binder clip is such a great idea! Makes me want to “rust” up my stash of binder clips. As always, love what you create! You have a definite way of creating that is unique!
July 14th, 2010
Oh, Becky.
I have had those bars…super rich and very yummy! I love your “tinnies.” I am taking a class from Lisa at Silver Bella. I love her work, too!
Hugs,
Suz
July 14th, 2010
“light as a feather” bucket/i loooooooove it!
feathers have spoken to me so deeply the
past two yrs & still! & congrats on somerset!!!
& those bars look scrumptious indeed.
so many goodies here.
your heart overflows
& i am glad. xo
July 14th, 2010
Love the buckets! And can’t wait to make the bars…YUM!
July 14th, 2010
I love the tinnies, really cute! Fun to put your spin on things; I tend to do this with recipes. Take an idea and put my own touch on it~
Yum, those bars, look amazing; Lucky to be the recipient of those rich, decant bars. They would sure fly away at my house, real quick~
I love using what you have and make do mentality~
Delicious xXx
July 14th, 2010
my son will enjoy baking these yummy treats with me. i started saving some cans not too long ago. i think i’ll make a few of these for keys or coins that keep landing on the counter.
July 14th, 2010
Oh, those bars look fabulous, but I must say, the buckets are better! Hey! i realized I rudely never replied to the adorable email you sent to me! THANK YOU! It was cute that you thought of me! The holidays do tend to bring my name up a lot! LOL!
July 14th, 2010
hello dolly, indeeeeeed!!!! ooooh, i think i just gained five pounds just looking at the photos……scrumptious!!!! and you are so creative to turn around and find a better use for the tinnie cans…..i LOVE them!!! hey, how about filling one of those with some of your dolly bars…..?!!! xoxo
July 14th, 2010
Lori, I thought the same thing…
Becky at a Bake Sale, with a few Hello Dolly bars in those scrumptious
tins! She sell out and steal the show ;-D Becky Bakes at the Beach; Becky Brings Beautiful Bite size Bars! In recycled tins, which are the stars …maybe they both are stars! We won’t know til we try them…
Your style shines through on this tinnies~
July 14th, 2010
Ellen, you’re funny (and sweet with your compliments) but I’d be terrible at selling Dolly bars. These are way too tempting for me to resist – I can just picture myself eating up all the bars, leaving nothing left to sell. Thanks for the funny visual and chuckle.
July 14th, 2010
The buckets are darling!
July 14th, 2010
I absolutely love those bars…The recipe I use has them called Dream Squares, either way they are the only thing that I enjoy baking!! I love Lisa Kause’s tinnies and that is a great idea to recycle and make mini ones. I too have many feathers left for me from my guardian angel’s wings falling to earth to remind me of his presence( My beloved who left this earth too soon to be my angel) Perhaps, when I make my next batch I will create my own version of this!! Thank you as usual for all your inspiration.
Hugs,
Ivy
July 15th, 2010
OK I had a good laugh with the ‘full of pluck’ and ‘light as a feather’. Don’t you just love it when words lift the art to a whole different level? so very fun and clever. The bars look delicious and I am really glad that I can’t smell them or I would be sucked in.
July 15th, 2010
Hi Becky! It’s been awhile since I visited your magical site. You’ve been busy with all your talented delights. Yummy photos! You make me want to bake some right now. Thanks for sharing! Love the recycled cans as buckets!
July 19th, 2010
these bars look amazing!!..tins too..off to look at the link
July 19th, 2010
I adore your little baskets, so precious!
August 1st, 2010
becky,
i think the bars would be great, for back to school, next week. yummy! i think i have everything but the graham crumbs… i do have a few pkgs, so i can crush those. ; )
these are the sweetest tins.
: )
thanks for the email.
xo
September 2nd, 2010
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