Homemade Kit Kat Bars

I used to get these from a little deli down the block from where we used to live – they are YUMZEE!!!

Ingredients

2 c. graham cracker crumbs
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. milk
1 c. butter
1 c. brown sugar
1 box club crackers

TOPPING:
1/2 c. chocolate chips
1/2 c. butterscotch chips
2/3 c. peanut butter

Directions

Boil the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, milk, butter and brown sugar for 5 minutes. Line club crackers in a 13 x 9 inch pan. Pour over 1/2 of the filling, add another layer of club crackers, then the rest of the filling, and finally add a layer of club crackers.

Melt chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and peanut butter. Spread over crackers. Refrigerate.

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

I haven’t had the chance to make these yet, but found them over at The Girl Who Ate Everything and thought they sounded yumzee! If you have tried them, let me know. I know I’ll make them before too long!

Ingredients

Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apples:
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel topping, recipe follows
1/2 cup caramel topping

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9×13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy!

Streusel Topping:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture.

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

My aunt was ‘famous’ for these – if you like chocolate and peanut butter (and let’s face it, who doesn’t), then these are for you:

<h2>Ingredients</h2>

1 cup butter
1 cup peanut butter (we like crunchy)
1 sleeve (about 20 squares) graham crackers, crushed
3 cups powdered sugar
¾ cup chocolate chips (we like semi-sweet)

<h2>Directions</h2>

Melt butter. Blend with peanut butter and crushed graham crackers. Sift powdered sugar into peanut butter mixture, one cup at a time. Stir until well blended. Batter will be stiff! (I sometimes squash it all together with my hands ~ fun!)
Press into a 9×9 pan. Melt chocolate chips; spread over bars. Refrigerate before cutting into small squares. (They are as rich as fudge!)
*** Feel free to make thinner bars by pressing them into a 9×13 pan. You may need 1 cup of chocolate chips to cover the surface area.
*** Dark chocolate and milk chocolate would be fabulous, too. Use what you like!
*** Fun treat to add to Christmas trays!