Monday, June 6, 2011

Rocky Road Fudge Bars


     Two weeks of school left (not that I'm counting,) and end of year preparations have left our teaching staff stressing over assessments, data collection and school improvement plans for next year. The kids, on the other hand, are already making plans for their upcoming weeks of freedom and have visions of bare feet, water parks and lazy summer days dancing in their heads. When patience gets thinner and teacher survival mode kicks in, chocolate can be a girl's best friend.

     Luckily I found these Rocky Road Bars on The Sweet Details (formerly Eating in Winnipeg) just in time to make a T.G.I.F. treat for the teacher's lounge. They turned out gooey and decadent, with walnut studded layers of chocolate, cream cheese and marshmallows. Just what the doctor ordered. Every time I passed by them I found myself cutting off just a little sliver of chocolaty deliciousness to help get me through the day.


     The chocolate chips and walnuts gave these luscious bars just the right toothsome bite, while the marshmallows and creamy fudge frosting made them gooey and delicious. I hope you try these- they're  perfect for calming frazzled nerves and putting a smile on your face. I guarantee. :)

     If you're looking for more delicious treats, check out Amanda's new blog, The Sweet Details. You'll find many more recipes there to tempt your taste buds!


Rocky Road Fudge Bars
Ingredients
Base:
1/2 cup (one stick) butter or margarine
1 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts.)
Filling:
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, (I used Neufchatel.) softened- Reserve 2 oz. for frosting
1/4 cup (half stick) butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1/4 cup chopped nuts (I used walnuts.)
1 (6 oz.) pkg. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 cups miniature marshmallows
Frosting:
1/4 cup (one half stick) butter or margarine
1/4 cup milk
1 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
Reserved (2 oz.) cream cheese
3 cups powdered (confectioner's) sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:
  • Heat oven to 350F. Grease and flour 13x9 inch pan. (I used non-stick foil.) In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick of butter and one oz. chocolate over very low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in one level cup flour and remaining base ingredients. Mix well and spread in prepared pan.
  • In small bowl combine 6 oz. softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 Tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and one egg; beat one minute at medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Stir in 1/4 cup nuts. Spread over chocolate mixture. Sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.
  • Bake at 350F for 25-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (I baked mine 30 minutes.) Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven and bake an additional two minutes.
  • While marshmallow layer is baking, in large saucepan combine 1/4 cup butter, 1/4 cup milk, 1 oz. chopped unsweetened chocolate, and reserved 2 oz. cream cheese. Cook over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in confectioner's sugar and vanilla until smooth. Immediately pour hot frosting over puffed marshmallows and lightly swirl with knife to marble. Refrigerate one hour or until firm. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.



66 comments:

  1. oh, these are so tasty. golly, i love marshmallows, and what better way to eat them than to surround them in chocolate? :)

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  2. Oh goodbye diet because these look irresistible! Gorgeous photos!

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  3. Oh my, now that would keep me in school a little bit longer! They look amazing and your pics are beautiful! Stay strong:@)

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  4. What a lovely plate and a great recipe; brownies have never looked soo good!
    Rita

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  5. Nothing like a little chocolate fix to get you through the day!

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  6. What a great treat for the last few hectic weeks!

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  7. These bar cookies look so good, I know a few bites of these, here and there, would help me make it through the day;-)

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  8. That is the most amazing most sinful abd delicious dessert I have seen in a really long time!

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  9. Oh my! I would really love some of this now! Look soooooo delicious!

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  10. Rocky Road is a winner in my book and your bars look fantastic. I love that plate and the red polka dot ribbon! I have an award for you on my blog today.

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  11. I love rocky road ice cream, but not as much as Rocky Road Fudge Bars! So decadent, and irresistable, and oh, so pretty on that white platter with the red bow weaved through it. I have a platter like that, but did not occur to me to weave a pretty bow through it:DDD
    Thanks for sharing your amazing recipe, and the "bow tip"!!!

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  12. i saw your post on my reader and i was like "oh those look like the ones i made!" and then i started reading! thanks so much for posting about these and for linking back to me so much!! i'm so proud! And i'm so glad they worked out for you, they are seriously amazing! and they freeze really well, for the next time you make them ;)

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  13. A few of those would improve the quality of my day.
    Mimi

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  14. I'm normally not a fan of nuts in my desserts but in this case I bet the walnuts do a great job of cutting the richness/sweetness. If I had these at home I would constantly be doing what you did, walking by and cutting just a sliver.......until I finished the whole pan!

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  15. OMGoooodness, I could eat a few of these for sure.

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  16. OH MY.... I'm speechless........ : )

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  17. Whew! Those look decadent and delicious for sure!

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  18. yummm!! a tray of this would keep me happy the entire week!

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  19. These look perfect! What a great TGIF great for your coworkers!

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  20. Oooh, pass me some please!! I may need to make them myself when the kids are not in school! Like the pretty cake stand too. :)

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  21. Oh wow!!!!! They look amazingly delicious!!! I wish I could have been in that teacher's lounge so I could have enjoy one of these!! :)

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  22. Those look drop-dead awesome! drool :)

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  23. Oooh we're channeling each other! I'm on a rocky road theme too! ;) These look wonderful!

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  24. After having gained a few extra pounds on vacation...these are far from being what the doctor ordered. LOL
    Although for now, I'll behave myself...I'm certainly snatching this recipe from you for when I'm more receptive to being sinful again ;o)

    Betty, how nice to be back to your enthusiasm in the kitchen, especially when pertainly to sweets ;)

    Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
    Claudia

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  25. "Every time I passed by them I found myself cutting off just a little sliver of chocolaty deliciousness." Scrambledhen,that is precisely what gets me in trouble too! And these would certainly tempt me. May the end of your school year come quickly.

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  26. This looks so good, I want some so much! I'm just in the middle of my exams at the moment, but I know the feeling - can't wait for the summer! Won't quite be the same as it was a few years ago, as these exams are pretty killer. At least you're collecting assignments and not dissertations!

    Thanks for the recipe, I'm definitely making that after exams!

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  27. That looks like the perfect treat for a stressed out teaching staff. They sound and look decadently delicious! I remember how 'squirrely' the kids used to get just before the end of the year - no concentration whatsoever. Hope these two weeks pass quickly :)

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  28. These look like the perfect afternoon treat! With a cup of coffee, a nice book, and a one or two of these I'd be a happy girl indeed. :)

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  29. I want to teach with you! Treats are, sadly, a rare occasion in our staff room. I try to bring in goodies to share with my English department from time to time, but always wish there were more sweet treats at lunchtime :) These look fantastic! Good luck with the last few weeks of your school year!

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  30. Amazing pictures! Lovely late too :)

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  31. Looks so deliciously tempting! mmmmmm.

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  32. wow! this is just gorgeous!! thank you for sharing this.

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  33. So fudgy, so chocolatey and so heavenly!

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  34. I was just waxing on another blog about a salted peanut chew recipe I used to make as a teen from the Pillsbury Bake-Off cookbook. This was another one of my favs. I literally used to make a pan of these every weekend my junior year of college! They're so rich and sinful, but so worth it! Yours look just like the photo in the book, but better!

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  35. Oh...I'm speechless seeing these. And "hungry" too.

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  36. Can't get any more delish that this, Betty! All I need is a glass of cold milk and a good book and I'd finish a plate of them.

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  37. I can only imagine how stressful it must be to be a teacher at this time of year! Chocolate is definitely necessary. These look amazing! So rich.

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  38. These seem a worthy reason to abandon my diet!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  39. Oh wow, these are just PACKED with so many awesome goodies!

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  40. Your brownies look incredible! I would love tom have one now:) I'm happy school is almost out for you.

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  41. Oh my gosh - I want one of those NOW!!

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  42. Stop it. These look TOO GOOD! Love this recipe.

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  43. These look amazing! Your fellow teachers must have been thrilled. You teachers definitely deserve a treat like that and a long summer vacation.

    I love your cake plate. I almost bought the same one at T.J. Maxx but ended up putting it back. I wish I had bought it. It looks so pretty:)

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  44. here in Orange county I think they already are out of school. I guess I'll see in the morning if the bus stops in front of the house again.
    these rocky road fudge look amazing, thanks for sharing. Wish a great last week at school.

    Hugs,

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  45. That's a decent recipe! I loved this post!!

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  46. I think I gasped out load when I clicked over and saw these beauties!!!!!!!!!!! Wowzers!

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  47. We've got a barn dance to go to and I'm making THESE!
    Suzanne

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  48. These sound wonderful. I adore any type of brownie and these sound especially good. I hope you've had a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  49. Betty, these bars look delicious, I love every layer of this bars. Beautifully done. Have a wonderful week :-)

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  50. These look heavenly! I can't wait to make!

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  51. Hope you are enjoying your summer now:) I am loving mine. Those last couple of weeks are so hard.

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  52. yum 0...and i LOVE the plate

    happy to stop by today

    kary and teddy
    xo

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  53. My Mom use to buy this from the boardwalk every Summer; your version looks to die for!

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  54. The end of the school year is always full of anticipation...and work! Thank you for sharing these sweet treats with me tonight....I want to get into my kitchen now and create! I hope you have a wonderful start to your week. Hugs from Austin!

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  55. I want to bake cookies for my mother today and I think this is the perfect recipe for her. She loves rocky road candy and I know she will like these bars. Great timing, thanks for the recipe.

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  56. Absolutely delightful, perfect recipe for me.

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  57. These look irresistible!! I should make them for the kiddos, they'd love 'em :D

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  58. I meant to mention that I LOVE your cake plate! Absolutely lovely.

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  59. These rocky road bars look way beyond fabulous. They would be fun for little party dessert bites :)

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  60. Wow how do you even get 62 comments?! That's amazing! But I see why... cuz these bars are to-die-for! Such beautiful presentation! Oh, and I love that serving dish with the ribbons!

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  61. I love the blog and excited to be following!

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  62. This has my name on it. This is truly my weakness.

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  63. I can't believe I missed this post when it came out. THese are to die for. I'm literally salivating just looking at them. I'm going out today to purchase the ingredients. I can't wait to taste them.

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Thanks for stopping by scrambled hen fruit! I appreciate all of your comments and look forward to reading them.

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