Friday, March 29, 2013

Browned Butter Easter Bars

A bonus post for you, brought to you by the Easter bunny ;)



With some Easter candy at home that I was all too tempted to eat in one sitting, I thought I should do something with them so that didn't happen.  And I ended up with Browned Butter Easter Candy Bars.  I mean, adding browned butter to Easter candy and I won't want to touch it, right?


Brilliant, Shannon.





Browned Butter Easter Candy Bars
adapted from Cook's Illustrated
Yield: ~24

14T unsalted butter, sliced into even chunks
2c + 2T whole wheat pastry flour (AP or white whole wheat)
1/2t salt
1/2t baking soda
1c unpacked brown sugar (light or dark)
1/2c evaporated cane juice (or granulated sugar)
1 lg egg
1 lg egg yolk
2t vanilla extract
2c chopped Easter candy (mine was a mix of mini eggs, chocolate covered peeps, lindt truffles, and creme eggs)
coarse sea salt, for the topping

Preheat the oven to 325deg.  Spray a 9x13" pan with nonstick spray and set aside.

Make the browned butter by heating a thick-bottomed pot or skillet over medium heat.  Add butter and swirl to the pan to ensure even cooking.  Whisk frequently as the butter begins to foam and then subsides.  As soon as you see browned bits beginning to form at the bottom of the pan, remove the pan from the heat and let cool.  It should smell deliciously nutty and start to drive you crazy.

Prepare your dry ingredients in a medium bowl; whisk together flour, salt and baking soda.

Once the browned butter has cooled to room temperature, add 3/4c to the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add brown and white sugars and beat until well combined.  Add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla extract and mix until smooth.  With the mixer on low, slowly add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.  Fold in the chopped candy.

Add the batter to your prepared pan and press into the pan evenly with a spatula.  Top with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt.  Bake for 25-30min, until the bars are slightly browned and edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan.  Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into bars.  Store in an airtight container.



What's your favorite treat to bake up with holiday candy?

15 comments:

In and Around Town said...

This has all my favorite Easter candy in one delicious place! YUM!

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

Browned butter = heavenly goodness. These are fun with all the traditional Easter basket candies spread throughout!

Ranjani said...

Yes, I'm sure these bars got rid of all temptation =). They look fabulous and definitely take that candy to a new level!

Joanne said...

I do that ALL.THE.TIME with candy. As I then won't be tempted to eat the cookies or brownies or blondies or cake or whatever I make with them. yeah, right. And adding browned butter into the mix....LOVE.

Kerstin said...

LOL, the cookies are more appealing to me than just the candy, for sure! These look super addicting :) And I like your diagram!

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vanillasugarblog said...

Love browned butter!
Shan you have to make scones with browned butter!
Oh many what a difference tastewise

Emily @ A Cambridge Story said...

This is so fun! Anything that incorporates peeps and browned butter is incredible in my book :)

Michelle Collins said...

This is such a great way to use up leftover candy! If I don't eat all the candy myself, I love throwing it into cookie batter.

Kristen said...

you have done it again! wow, these are the ultimate Easter treat

Delicious Dishings said...

These are awesome! And I have a bunch of Easter candy around now...

Colleen @ Culinary Colleen said...

This is awesome! I need more browned butter in my life.

Val said...

Easter may be over but I will make these bars this weekend. YUM

Natalie said...

I conveniently have a LOT of Easter candy to use up!

Hannah said...

Oh lord, the "leftovers" sound so much better (and terribly, deliciously addictive) than the original treats! That is one dangerous dessert you've created, my friend...

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