Molly Squares Recipes

HELLO DOLLY BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Mix graham cracker crumbs and melted butter together in a bowl until evenly moistened; press into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Pour 1/2 the can sweetened condensed milk over the graham cracker crust. Sprinkle semisweet chocolate chips, walnuts, coconut, and white chocolate chips over the graham cracker crust; gently press chocolate, nuts, and coconuts into the crust. Drizzle remaining 1/2 can of condensed milk over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until fragrant and coconut is golden, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

PEANUT BUTTER KRISPY RICE SQUARES

Steps:

• Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper, allowing 1-inch wings to hang over the edges; set aside.
• In a large pot over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the marshmallows and salt and cook, stirring, until the marshmallows are melted and smooth. Remove from the heat and stir in the peanut butter and vanilla (the peanut butter can still be swirly). Add the cereal, crushed graham crackers, chocolate chips and sprinkles and fold with a large rubber spatula to combine.
• Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, using the spatula to spread it out evenly. Place a piece of parchment on top and then use your hands to press the mixture down very firmly. Top with additional sprinkles as desired. Let the mixture firm up in the refrigerator for 1 hour, then cut into squares.

CHOCOLATE COVERED NOUGATS

Steps:

• Combine the cornstarch and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper with wings coming up a few inches off the sides. Spray it with cooking spray, then dust it with half of the cornstarch mixture. Set the pan and the rest of the mixture aside.
• Combine the honey, 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar and 1 3/4 cups water in a large saucepan fitted with a candy thermometer and stir to combine. Place over medium-high heat and cook until the mixture reaches 305 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, position a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment near the stove. Place the egg whites and salt in the bowl of the mixer.
• Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Reduce the speed to medium and beat in the remaining tablespoon granulated sugar. (Do this while keeping an eye on the honey so you don't burn it.)
• As soon as the honey reaches 305 degrees F, turn the mixer speed to medium-low and add it to the egg whites in a steady drizzle. Then turn the mixer to high and beat until pale and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the bowl from the stand mixer and spray a rubber spatula with cooking spray. Add the nuts to the mixture and fold with the sprayed spatula to combine. Scrape the mixture into the prepared pan. Press it into an even layer, then sprinkle on the remaining cornstarch mixture and let cool, a few hours. Use the parchment wings to remove the nougat to a board. Cut the nougat into 1-inch squares.
• Set up a sheet pan with a rack and set aside.
• Heat the semisweet chocolate with 1/2 tablespoon oil in a double boiler or in a heatproof bowl in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until melted, 1 1/2 minutes total. Repeat with the ruby chips and remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil. Brushing off the excess powdered sugar from the top of each, dip half of the squares in the regular chocolate and half in the ruby chocolate, spooning some over the tops so that they are completely covered. Use a fork to remove the squares from the chocolate and place on the prepared rack. Sprinkle with sprinkles, if using. Refrigerate until the chocolate is set, about 10 minutes, or let set at room temperature for about 20 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

S'MORES PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: Whisk together the flours, granulated sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg in a very large bowl until well combined. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, work the butter and shortening into the dry ingredients until it has a coarse sand-like consistency. Combine the water and vinegar in a small bowl, then add that to the mixture and mix until a dough forms.
• Divide the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
• For the filling: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a quarter-sheet tray with parchment paper.
• Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll out one disc on a lightly-floured work surface. Lay the dough on the sheet tray, evenly covering the bottom. (Do not cut off the excess dough yet.) Lay the chocolate bars over the top of the dough. Sprinkle mini marshmallows over the chocolate. Roll out the second dough disc and lay that on top of the marshmallows, covering the pie entirely. Cut off excess dough from the top piece and fold the edge of the bottom dough over the edge of the top dough. Press the edges together with a fork or crimp the edges. Brush with the egg wash and poke several holes in the top with a fork. Bake until golden, 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
• For the glaze: Whisk together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk and salt in a bowl until it has the consistency of thick glue. Glaze the top of the pie and immediately add sprinkles. Allow the glaze to set, about 15 minutes. Slice and serve.

CHEWY MOLASSES SQUARES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar on medium-high until pale and fluffy, 4 minutes. With mixer on medium, add molasses and egg whites and beat until combined. With mixer on low, add flour mixture and beat until combined.
• Transfer batter to dish and smooth top. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely in dish on a wire rack. Invert cake onto a cutting board and cut into 1 1/2-inch squares. To serve, toss in confectioners' sugar to coat.

MOLLY-O BARS

Steps:

• To make the base: Cream the first amount of butter (1 cup), cocoa (3 tbsp), and white sugar.
• Add the eggs, flour (1 cup) and vanilla (1 tsp). Beat again.
• Stir in 1/2 cup slivered almonds.
• Spread on greased and floured cookie sheet and bake for 20 - 25 minutes at 350. Cool completely.
• To make the filling: Mix the coconut and sweetened condensed milk together and spread over cooled base.
• Bake 15 minutes at 350. Cool completely.
• To make the icing: Mix the second amount of flour (11 tsp) and milk. Boiluntilthickened.
• Mix the second amount of butter (1 cup), icing sugar, vanilla (1 tsp) and cocoa (1 tsp) until thick. Cool completely.
• Add the boiled mixture to the butter mixture and beat until soft and fluffy. Spread over cake.
• Chill several hours before serving.

RHUBARB BARS

Steps:

• For the bars: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with a rack in the middle.
• Grease and line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Cut enough so there are wings hanging over the sides of the pan for when it's time to remove the bars!
• In a food processor, combine the flour, almond flour, granulated sugar and salt and pulse to combine. Add the butter, egg white and rosewater, if using. Pulse until the mixture clumps together into small to medium clumps of dough.
• Pour the dough out into the prepared pan and press evenly all around the bottom with a measuring cup or the back of a spatula until smooth.
• Bake until the crust is just set and the edges are light golden, 15 to 18 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• For the filling: Combine the rhubarb in a medium saucepan with water just to cover (about 1 1/2 cups water) and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Scrape in the vanilla bean seeds and add the pod. Simmer until the rhubarb is falling apart, about 10 minutes. Cool, then strain and discard the solids. (See Cook's Note.)
• Add 1/4 cup of the reserved rhubarb juice to a small mixing bowl. Add the cornstarch. Use a small whisk or fork to combine until smooth and there are no cornstarch lumps. Add the rhubarb slurry to the saucepan with an additional 1/2 cup of the reserved rhubarb juice. (See Cook's Note for uses for any extra juice).
• Whisk in the eggs, yolks, salt, remaining 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Cook, whisking constantly, over medium heat until the mixture begins to simmer and thicken and bubbles pop to the surface, 7 to 10 minutes. Whisk in the zest, then the butter and coconut oil a little at a time. Whisk in just enough food coloring to make a salmon pink color, 2 to 3 drops.
• Pour the filling mixture over the cookie crust and bake until the edges are set, but the center is just a tiny bit jiggly, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove to a rack to cool completely.
• Once cooled, remove the bars from the pan. With a sharp knife, cut into 16 squares, wiping the blade after each cut. (You can also trim the edges for a cleaner look.) Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
• For longer storage, refrigerate between layers of parchment in a sealed container.

MONSTER COOKIE BARS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Line a 9-inch square metal pan with parchment paper that comes up on two sides to give you little wings.
• In a medium bowl, combine the oats, coconut, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, brown sugar, butter and granulated sugar until combined and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Add the vanilla. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the oat mixture until combined, then fold in the peanuts and chocolate-coated candies. Press into the baking pan. Press a few additional chocolate-coated candies into the top.
• Bake until browned around the edges; begin checking for doneness at 28 minutes. Let cool in the pan completely, then carefully lift out of the pan and use a sharp serrated knife to slice into bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days.

MATZO MAGIC BARS

Steps:

• Place an oven rack in the middle position. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Line the pan with a strip of parchment paper to overhang on two sides by 2 inches.
• In the prepared baking pan, add the matzo meal, sugar, and salt. Pour the coconut oil over the matzo mixture and gently stir to combine. Then, using a spatula or the flat bottom of a glass or dry measuring cup, pat down the matzo into an even layer to form a crust.
• Top with the dried cherries in an even layer, then top with a layer of your preferred dairy-free chocolate, peanut butter and/or vegan rainbow chips. Sprinkle on the pistachios and coconut flakes. Open the can of condensed coconut milk, pour in the vanilla and stir gently to combine. Pour the condensed coconut milk evenly over the bars.
• Bake until the coconut is toasted and golden all over and the bars are set, 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with the sprinkles and cool completely in the pan. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour before cutting into 16 bars. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.