From classic fudgy brownies to zesty lemon squares, you can’t go wrong these treats
Written bySunsetMarch 21, 2013
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Moose Tracks Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches
Brownies are perfection when combined with peanut-butter-cup/chocolate-swirl ice cream (often called Moose Tracks), but feel free to swap it out for your favorite flavor. Chilling the brownies overnight will make it easier to cut them neatly; they’ll also keep their shape nicely if you cut them in half.
Michael Recchiuti, a San Francisco chocolate visionary, prefers to make these moist brownies with a distinct chocolate such as L'Harmonie, a 64 percent dark chocolate blend available from E. Guittard consumer sales (800/468-2462). Serve wedges or squares topped with lightly sweetened, softly whipped cream, chopped fresh mint, and fresh raspberries; or crown pieces with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
We couldn't decide which we liked better, the crunchy outside pieces or the gooey inside ones. Leftovers are unlikely, but you can store the brownies airtight up to 1 day.
Phyllis Ciardo of Albany, California, developed her own rich and chewy version of the meringue-topped bars she remembers her mother baking every Christmas.
With a buttery crust and custard-like filling, these lemon squares taste as good as they look. A dusting of powdered sugar completes the bar cookie recipe.
18 of 27Photo by Yunhee Kim; written by Stephanie Spencer
Hazelnut Shortbread Bars
Even when we almost burned the crust of these buttery bars, we still couldn't stop eating them and ended up with a new crunchier variation. We hope you'll enjoy them as much as we did.
26 of 27Photo by Leigh Beisch; written by Amy Machnak
Honey Caramel Nut Bars
The buttery shortbread is heavenly with the honey caramel that’s baked around this salty nut mixture. Cut them into various shapes and set out with coffee or a cool weather cocktail.
A two-citrus filling and a toasted-coconut base make this version of the traditional lemon bar both bright and rich. For bars with flecks of zest but no foamy top, whisk the egg mixture just enough to blend.