Wednesday, May 28, 2008

pool party success

The pool party was a success. The kids loved being in the water, even though they had huge goosebumps and trembling lips. The temperature reached about 63. Not so bad for a pool party in Chicago in May. It could have easily been 98; it could have been 48.

I brought a dessert that was a huge hit with both the small and big people. Originally given to me as a recipe with the title "crunch bar", I see that it is also listed as "pine bark" if you are thumbing through a Paula Deen dessert cookbook. People love this one, and it travels sooo easy. I highly recommend it for the next event in which you need to bring a sweet but you just don't have time to bake cookies.

Crunch Bar/Pine Bark

35 saltine crackers
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1 6.5 oz. package semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400. Line a 15x 10x 1-inch jelly roll pan with tin foil. Lightly spray foil with nonstick cooking spray. Place saltine crackers, salty side up, in prepared pan. In a saucepan, boil butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in almond. Pour over crackers and bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven; top with chocolate chips. Spread chocolate evenly over crackers as it begins to melt. Cool in fridge.

* * *

YUM YUM!

Soooo rich and delicious. I break the mold into bite-sized pieces and transport in a tupperware tub. Travels great. Tastes almost like a chocolate turtle...you will love it and people will be amazed by your talent! Enjoy!! xox
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15 comments:

kristen spina said...

Meg, congratulations on a successful day! And thanks for the recipe...

hqm said...

Sound delicious!

jillskict said...

Oh I am glad it wasn't 48! Sounds like a good time!

This is one of my all time favorite recipes. My problem is actually getting them to where ever I need to bring them, I like to EAT them!

msemeraldapple said...

Hey there, it's Nora from Preppy Beginnings! I was gone for a while but I'm back at blogging and back at reading all your wonderful posts! I really missed being part of this little blogging community and I'm so glad to be back!

Suburban prep said...

That is the best recipe. I usually make that right around Christmas and give it out as gifts to people. Kids love it.
you are right regarding the temps here in the Chicago are. Perhaps Summer will come someday. (It will and we will probably complain about the heat and the humidity).
So glad the kids had a good time.

Rosemary said...

Glad you had a great party!!
The recipe sounds yummy!!
Rosemary

Jenny said...

I have just done the conversion, and 63 is WAY too cold to be swimming!

Michelle said...

Glad the kiddos had a great party. The bark sounds quite sinful!

Shelley said...

Sound like a great recipe that even I can make - thank you for sharing!

Laurie Anne said...

Blue, shivering lips are standard issue here in the PNW. I'm glad the kiddos had a good time :0)

Terri said...

Glad your party turned out well. My girl turned 10 last Friday. She wanted a pool party. It was only 70, but everybody had a ball! LOL

Christy said...

We break for pine bark! It is SO good.

savvycityfarmer said...

I'd love a pool right now to take a dip in it's 90 in the Midwest, well you know!!!

...thanks for your visit...I haven't been here in ages either...time just gets away from me...stay tuned after next week for son's wedding update.

Millie said...

Meg, I'm so glad I found your blog - it's lovely! It's a Holiday Weekend here so I'll be making the Pine Bark recipe tomorrow. It's winter & freezing here in Australia, so your Pool Party post afforded me a little Summertime dreaming!
I've tagged you today, please don't feel obligated to participate, but it would be lovely to learn some more about you!
From Millie ^_^

Tres Poshe Preppy said...

Yum, I will have to try this!