Dreams Can Come True

 Another, late night baking adventure in the kitchen just five minutes after having an unexpected nap for an half hour and I still managed to have the energy to bake something.Now that's definitely commitment to follow through with a recipe I chose.Anyways,I chose a wonderful bar recipe from the "cookie collection" book, which has a lot of recipes that I would love to try out in the future.

These bars have a deliciously buttery and flaky shortbread base and a sweet layer in the middle of jam and chocolate. Also,with a mildly sweet, crumbly and crunchy brown sugar topping.These elements of ingredients come together so nicely in flavor and appearance.They become a great small dessert to serve at a party or just as a treat.

The recipe was purely simple, mostly its layering ingredients and baking.Anyone can do it so don't be afraid to try it out for yourself.Challenge yourself and its also incredibly cheaper to bake yourself then buy,plus you learn and experience.

They bars were definitely a hit with my family and I also gave some to my sister Margaret to share them out with her family and friends. I think theirs about one or two bars left in the fridge presently and I guess I have to make another batch one day.Well I'm wonderfully happy that everyone liked them;however who can go wrong with chocolate, strawberry jam and shortbread together. Well enjoy your baking and try out the recipe here, I grantee you will have a fun and easy time.

Chocolate Strawberry Dream Bar (Chocolate Raspberry Dream Bar:Adapted From Favorite Brand Name COOKIE COLLECTION book)

Base:

1 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup(1 stick) butter,softened

1/2 cup strawberry  jam

1 cup milk chocolate chips or 1 pkg chocolate chunks

Crumb Topping:

2/3 cup all purpose flour

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

6 tbsp(3/4 stick) butter,softened

1.Preheat to 375F.

Base:

2.Add flour, sugar and butter to a medium sized bowl. You then cut in the butter with either the recommended pastry blender or 2 knives. Do that until the mixture resembles bread crumbs. Then just pour the the crumbs into a greased 9 inch square pan and press in evenly.

3. Bake the base between 20-25 minutes, but be sure to not get brown. Remove from the oven and spread the jam( I chose strawberry jam, but any jam can be used). Then top with chocolate chips and top as well with crumb topping.

4. Bake for  another 15-20 minutes longer until top is lightly brown.Cool completely and cut into squares

Crumb Topping: Add flour, brown sugar and butter. Use a pastry blender or 2 knives.Resembles coarse crumbs.