Man Bars

An easy and unique cookie bar recipe made with graham cracker crumbs, sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips, cut and rolled in powdered sugar.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1. JUMP TO THE RECIPE
2. FIVE REASONS TO TRY MAN BARS
3. NOTES ON MAKING MAN BARS

If you’re anything like me, every time you hop on your favorite social media sites, you see lots of yummy food pics and recipes.

I think I probably see more than the average bear because so many of my buds are food bloggers and foodies in general so I might be somewhat immune to all the food pics.

So when something jumps up and grabs my attention, that’s really saying something.

And that’s exactly what happened the other day when these babies popped up in my news feed! My buddy, Kris, from Big Rigs ‘n Lil Cookies posted a photo and I was immediately intrigued.

And then when I saw the recipe I was even more interested because I’d never seen anything like it.

At first I thought they were called ‘Man Bars’ because men must like them but now that I’ve made them I think they’re called that because they’re so easy, even a man can make them.

HAHA!! Stop. Don’t send me hate mail. I’m kidding. Mostly.

FIVE REASONS TO TRY MAN BARS

1 - They’re crazy easy to make and only have a few ingredients.

2 - They travel REALLY well. Unlike frosted treats, these can be stacked (and stacked and stacked) and they won’t stick to each other or the container. I just toss them all in a lidded plastic container and hit the road. 

3 - They’re not overly sweet. No, seriously, they’re not. I know it seems they would be, especially since they’re rolled in powdered sugar, but there’s a WHOLE box of graham crackers in one batch plus a full cup of finely chopped pecans.

4 - Everyone I’ve served these to LOVES them.

5 - They’re just so different! Everyone always gravitates to them because they’re unique. Have the recipe handy because everyone will ask!

NOTES ON MAKING MAN BARS

• Use good quality, traditional graham crackers. One of the things I like most about these is the flavor from the graham crackers. I typically use Nabisco Grahams (in the red box).
• I wouldn’t recommend using cinnamon or chocolate graham crackers. The cinnamon will compete with the other flavors and the chocolate won’t provide enough contrast in flavor. 
• This recipe can be halved and cooked in an 8x8 or 9x9 pan.
• The batter is THICK and STICKY. I blop big spoonsful evenly in the pan then use a rubber spatula to smoosh it down flat. You can also lay a piece of wax paper over the mixture then use your hands to press and spread (letting the wax paper act as a barrier between the mixture and your hands).
• You’ll need to line the pan so you can easily remove the baked slab then cut into squares.
• The easiest (and cleanest) way to roll the bars in powdered sugar is to place the sugar in a lidded plastic container or gallon-sized zip-top bag, add a few bars, then gently shake and toss the bars around in the sugar.

MORE SWEET BARS TO TRY!

• EASY SALTED CARAMEL RICE KRISPIES TREATS - The easiest recipe for elevated rice krispies that are chewy and crispy, packed with buttery caramel and warm vanilla flavor that’s highlighted by the perfect amount of salt.
• SNO BALL BROWNIES - An easy recipe for fudgy brownies, marshmallow buttercream and coconut just like the classic Hostess Sno Ball snack cakes!
• ALMOND JOY MAGIC COOKIE BARS - A true spin on the original classic recipe for Magic Cookie Bars with almonds, chocolate chips, coconut and chocolate graham cracker crumbs that Almond Joy fans will love!
• CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL BARS - This easy recipe features a peanut butter fudge layer between an oatmeal cookie base studded with chocolate chips on top.
• CHEWY CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE BARS - All the goodness of chocolate chip cookies made easy in one big easy batch of chewy bars. Top with colored M&M's for a special holiday cookie recipe!

Recipe for Man Bars

Man Bars

Yield: 30 Servings

Author: Mandy Rivers | South Your Mouth

Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 30 MinTotal time: 45 Min

An easy and unique cookie bar recipe made with graham cracker crumbs, sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips, cut and rolled in powdered sugar.

Ingredients

• 1 14-oz box graham crackers, crushed into crumbs
• 1 12-oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans
• 2 14-oz cans sweetened condensed milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2-3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil then spray with cooking spray.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs, chocolate chips, nuts, condensed milk, vanilla and salt in a large bowl and mix until well combined to make a batter. TIP: Use a stand mixer with paddle attachment if possible because batter will be THICK.
3. Spread batter into pan then bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until set.
4. Cool completely in pan, remove then cut into squares.
5. Roll/toss squares in powdered sugar until nicely coated. Store at room temperature in an air-tight container up to one week.

Notes

• Use good quality, traditional graham crackers. I typically use Nabisco Grahams (in the red box).
• This recipe can be halved and cooked in an 8x8 or 9x9 pan.
• The batter is THICK and STICKY. I blop big spoonsful evenly in the pan then use a rubber spatula to smoosh it down flat. You can also lay a piece of wax paper over the mixture then use your hands to press and spread (letting the wax paper act as a barrier between the mixture and your hands).
• You’ll need to line the pan so you can easily remove the baked slab then cut into squares.
• The easiest (and cleanest) way to roll the bars in powdered sugar is to place the sugar in a lidded plastic container or gallon-sized zip-top bag, add a few bars, then gently shake and toss the bars around in the sugar.

Nutrition Facts

Calories

233.54

Fat

9.52 g

Sat. Fat

4.27 g

Carbs

30.89 g

Fiber

2 g

Net carbs

28.89 g

Protein

4.29 g

Sodium

73.32 mg

Iron

1.44 mg

Calcium

96.59 mg

https://www.southyourmouth.com/2015/06/man-bars.html

Images and text © South Your Mouth LLC 2015

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