6/10/15

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.
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.

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

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
best, easy, how to, man, bars, dessert, powdered sugar, graham crackers, crumbs, chocolate chips, pecans, walnuts, sweetened condensed milk, fathers day
dessert, bars
american
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90 comments:

  1. I never considered it, but I bet you are right.... Even a man could make these! And yeah... kidding... mostly ;)

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    Replies
    1. Be careful on what you say a lot of men can cook or bake better then some we men. Me I’ve been coming for years. My mother showed me how to cook and bake. My grandmother was a great teacher as well! MEN can cook!!

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    2. Now if only you could spell too! Bars are so easy and delicious, we love them with butterscotch chips. Thank you for the great recipe!

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  2. These sound so simple! A man could make them but he would ask where the pan was; how do I crush the graham crackers?; LOL!!! Love these.

    Wishes for tasty dishes,
    Linda

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    Replies
    1. I put mine in a plastic zip bag and roll with a rolling pen or u can use coffee cup and smash them up.

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    2. i think that was sarcasm re:what a man would say lol

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  3. I think they're called Man Bars because 'Man, I gotta make these!'

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  4. They are Man Bars because I can't wait to make them! YUM

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  5. My stepmother makes these, but instead of powdered sugar, they have cream cheese icing on them! They are my favorite!

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  6. I just found your site today, and haven't laughed so much in a day. I love your articles and your recipes, I'm definitely book marking your site and hope to try several of your recipes, this is saying a lot, since I absolutely HATE to cook.

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  7. One of my pet peeves is a dessert covered in powdered sugar... it just makes such a mess! Have you tried them without coating them in sugar? Or maybe just dusting the tops? Oooh... and what about a salty addition? Crushed pretzels maybe?

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    Replies
    1. Mmmmm pretzels sound good for this.

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    2. Cover them with the graham wafer crumbs

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    3. Follow the recipe first. Then you'll understand that the mess is totally worth it. :P

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    4. Actually, they kinda need that powdered sugar. Finishing touch and all that - it seems to smooth it out. MUCH better with it on there. These are AMAZING.

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  8. These sound really good---I think even my "cooking challenged" husband could make these....or could he? Thanks so much for the fun read and the recipe....found you on the Weekend Potluck.

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  9. Can you make these without the nuts? I have nut allergies in the family

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    Replies
    1. I substituted mini-marshmallows for nuts!

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    2. I always make them without nuts and they are fabulous.

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    3. I substituted peanut butter chips instead of chocolate

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    4. How did this work for you? I want to make these, but I'm a little over chocolate at the moment. Were the peanut butter chips melty?

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    5. Then they wouldn't be Man Bars.

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  10. can you use cinnamon graham crackers?

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    Replies
    1. She addresses that in the post. Did you read the post?

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    2. She said it wasn’t recommended.

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  11. how bout makers mark instead of vanilla, since they are man bars and all

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  12. It looks very delicious!

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  13. These look similar to one of my favorite recipes (7 Layer Bars or Magic Cookie Bars), except easier to make! I might try this and add some coconut to make them a little more similar! Thanks for the recipe!

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    Replies
    1. I was thinking the exact same thing!

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  14. How about instead of powdered sugar, use fluffernutter for icing to make smores squares with pecans.

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  15. Just prepared and threw a batch of this in the oven! Thinking this is going to have to be a staple around the holidays. So easy to make! Thank you for sharing.

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  16. Hi,
    these sound so good and so easy to make, I have one question "Do you think I could get away with making them as cookies if I watched them very carefully and cooked them on parchment?

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  17. Has anyone tried mailing them in a care package? Do they survive the mail system well?

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  18. I noticed on your website that the man bars have baking chocolate in them. Is there a reason the chocolate isn't in this recipe. Made them this morning....the look delish.

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  19. Replies
    1. I make these in a 10x15 pan and cut them into 1" squares. They are a perfect size and it makes a LOT!

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  20. What amount of graham cracker crumbs would it be by cup measurement?

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    Replies
    1. the recipe says about 4 cups :)

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  21. This is a beloved recipe that my grandmother and I have been making for many years 45/49. We used to crush the graham crackers with a rolling pin. This recipe is a hit with everyone in my family and is considered a holiday treat. I know she had been making it since the 1950's.

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  22. The recipe calls for finely chopped walnuts or pecans, but the photos show
    nut halves, not chopped at all.

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    Replies
    1. Where do you see that? I didn't use nut halves and don't see anything that looks like it?

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    2. Photos 1,3,& 4 appear to have nut halves or something not mentioned in the ingredients on the left hand side of the piece being eaten.

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    3. Sorry, but I don't see what you mean. But, no, there's nothing in these not listed in the ingredients.

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    4. I think what you are seeing as a pecan half is actually a melted chocolate chip.

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    5. I agree it looks to me like a chocolate chip that is ooey gooey delicious looking.

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    6. There are definitely pecan halves in there. She said she used walnuts, but your eyes are not playing tricks, those are pecan halves.

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    7. Hand to Jesus, there are no pecan halves in these.

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    8. 😆 love your reply!

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  23. These never set up for me. Even after 40 min, the outside edges got hard but the center was still mushy. I had to throw them out, sorry.

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    Replies
    1. You shouldn't have thrown them out, once you let them cool, they set up. You missed out and wasted great food.

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  24. Wow, these actually have a name! We have been making these cookies in my family since before I was born. A friend of my mothers gave her the recipe and her name was Kathy so they have been called Kathy's Cookies all my life. I have always been curious as to the original name, and where they came from. Christmas is not here until someone has made these in our family. Another thing about these cookies I love is after cooking and cutting them they can be frozen and defrosted later, just freeze before rolling in powdered sugar, makes it easy to bake a lot at once and defrost later as need for those holiday parties. So glad to see my favorite cookie out there and being shared.

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    Replies
    1. My grandmother made these, but used mint chocolate chips at Christmas time. They stopped making the mint chips, but last year I found Nestle came out with dark chocolate and mint chip so I'm totally making these!!

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    2. Add a drop of peppermint oil to the recipe. Or a little peppermint extract. A little goes a long ways.

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    3. Do these freeze well?

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  25. I'll bet that even a professional chef from NYC could make these... even if he is a man. ;-)

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  26. just the perfect healthy treat for my husband! But, above, you say they are too sweet; we must have different versions of sweet! To me they are VERY sweet!

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    Replies
    1. Healthy? Check graham crackers, they are full of trans fats.

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    2. Most store brand Graham crackers don't have trans fats.

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    3. About how many cups of graham cracker crumbs ? I bought two boxes of graham cracker crumbs, & would like to use them up ?

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  27. I just made these and I have to call you out--they are very sweet. I should have known since all but two of the ingredients contain sugar, but I tried them anyway. I have a huge sweet tooth and these were too much for me. I used half a bag of chocolate chips and only dusted the tops with powdered sugar and I have a sugar headache after one small bar.

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  28. We've been making these for over 40 years though we never had a name for them. They aren't overly sweet if you just change up the finish of these cookies. We make them in an 11 x 15 pan and barely let them cool before we start working with them.
    It's a little messy but if you get another person to help you it goes fairly fast and the results are worth it. We start by putting some powdered sugar into a shallow bowl. Then cut a strip about an inch and a quarter wide along every edge of the pan. Then cut them into squares another inch and a quarter.
    Put several of the squares of cookie into your bowl of powdered sugar. Begin smooshing the cookie together using the powdered sugar to form them until you get a nice firm square cookie shape. My aunt who gave us this recipe made hers into a log shape.
    I swear to you that we have gotten rave reviews on these cookies every time we serve them. People can't get enough of them and they aren't in any way overly sweet.

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  29. I am going to try a variation for my little Sunday School Class to make for Father's Day. I need to leave out the nuts and I'm going to change the vanilla to orange essence. (Their dad loves Chocolate & Orange!) Also, since we are currently in Wales, UK and my private stash of Graham Crackers will NOT be donated, I plan to use something that they call Digestive Biscuits (??). It will reduce the sweetness a bit, but hopefully retain the consistency. I'll let you know how they turn out. Thanks!

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  30. carb count? They sound like they might be too sweet. I don't know

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  31. Question... you said line the pan, just the bottom right, not the sides?

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  32. Would love to try these using either Reece's Peanut Butter chips or Butterscotch chips for something different & maybe use pretzel bits for the salty & crunchy version instead of nuts

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  33. Made this yesterday and substituted a can of le lechera (caramel sauce) for one of the sweetened condensed milks and it was delicious. It has just entered into my dessert rotation. Thanks for the wonderful recipe!

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  34. I just tried these, and they are really good. Kind of familiar, like a brownie or cookie, but with a unique flavor. I found them sweet enough without the powdered sugar, so I left it off, and they were still great.

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  35. I would substitute the graham crackers with chopped dates.

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  36. Greetings, Mandy. I have just recently started checking out recipes that show up on Pinterest, and what a great and wonderful world it is turning out to be. Thank you for adding this recipe; it sounds delicious, and I plan to make it as soon as I have a chance to shop for the ingredients that I used up over Christmas. One question, though. Your recipe calls for Graham wafers, that are then crushed into crumbs. Is there any reason not to buy and use Graham Crumbs? I also love all the potential variations, as suggested by your other loyal followers.

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  37. My mind is thinking...
    They now make Chocolate Sweetened Condensed Milk! I wonder what that would do for this already fabulous recipe???

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  38. We omitted the nuts but I added about a cup or so of small marshmallows. During the cooking process the marshmallows kind of went crazy and bubbled up over the top and the whole thing looked like a hot mess. Literally. But after they cooled, I was able to cut them and the powdered sugar helped to ensure that they were not too sticky for people to pick up and eat. They were indeed a HUGE hit. I presume you could substitute shredded coconut (or even just add some) to make them taste more like the 7 layer bars we all know and love but I gotta tell you, these things were so popular, my non-sweet-eating husband had three! Dropped some off at a friend's house and they want the recipe. Perfect!

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    Replies
    1. Interesting!!! I think I might have to try that! Maybe I'll just make as usual but add marshmallows to the mix. Thanks for sharing your idea!!

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  39. Can I cut the recipe in half?

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    Replies
    1. This question never ceases to amaze me. Do you think there is a recipe police out there preventing you from doing so?

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  40. This looks so delicious... I've never had these before, I can't wait to try!

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  41. I am so very intrigued! Can't wait to try them!

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  42. One of the easiest desserts ever! Love it!

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  43. I made these last Christmas time to put on cookie platters. They were easy to make, delicious - like you said, not overly sweet - and looked beautiful on the platters. Thank you for the recipe. I can hardly wait to make them again for this year's platters!!

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  44. Im pretty sure they are called man bars because they have NUTS. Not kidding. 😂

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  45. These are fabulous! Thank you, Mandy, for sharing such a fun, delicious, and easy recipe. I love that it's possible to make bar cookies without getting out the flour, butter, sugar, eggs, etc. I love those ingredients in other cookies, but I also love that this recipe is so easy because it omits them. I halved the recipe, forgot to add the salt, baked the dough for 45 minutes in an 8x8-inch pan, and was too lazy to do the powdered sugar coating. They turned out scrumptious and I literally had to step away from the pan to make myself stop cutting little squares and snarfing them while they were still warm. Thanks for the tip about lining the pan with parchment; I can't imagine getting these yummy things out of the pan without it.

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  46. Can you use another but besides pecan or walnut? Almonds, cashews, pistachios?

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  47. Do these need to be kept on counter or refrigerator

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  48. Do these need to be kept on counter or refrigerator

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    Replies
    1. No need to refrigerate, just store in an air-tight container.

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Hi there! While I’m not able to respond to every comment, I try hard to answer any questions that haven’t been addressed in the post, recipe or in other comments.

I can tell you now 1) I have no idea if you can substitute Minute Rice or brown rice in my recipes because I’ve never used them and 2) If I know how to convert a recipe to a Crock Pot version, I will make a note about it (otherwise, I don’t know).

And though I may not respond to them all, I do read each and every comment and I LOVE to hear from you guys! Thanks, y’all! - Mandy