With barbeque and picnic season in full-swing, many of us are heading out to potluck-style meals where we're asked to bring a side or dessert. Bars are a perfect form of dessert for those occasions: you can make them ahead of time, they travel well, can be eaten while standing, and serve a crowd. Check out these recipes for our favorite bars after the jump:
My new favorite dessert bar (and what inspired me to pull this roundup together) is the rhubarb bar (try saying that three times fast!). In particular, Diane Coddington's rhubarb bars from The Grand Rapids Press, pictured at left. They've got a hearty nut-and-oatmeal crust and crumble topping, tangy rhubarb filling, and sweetness throughout. A couple of changes I made according to my taste: add a few pinches of salt, reduce both the granulated and brown sugars by about a third, and use half whole wheat flour. The outcome: delish!
MORE DESSERT BARS FROM THE KITCHN (as pictured up top):
Related: Help Me Find a Cool and Summery Dessert for a Party!
(Images: Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times, Faith Durand, Emma Christensen, Megan Gordon, Faith Durand, Sarah Rae Trover, Emma Christensen, Sarah Rae Trover, John Kelly Photography, Lori Niedenfuer Cool/The Grand Rapids Press)
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Just go to any mom in Minnesota for her family 'bar' recipe... you'll have one for every day of the year!
Can I recommend these anise biscotti as a high portable dessert? Just tried them today and they are great. http://www.food52.com/recipes/3675_anise_biscotti
Awww...now I'm feeling wistful about not baking something homemade to take to our friends' house tonight... But it is just too bloody hot to turn on the oven! SIGH.
Tomorrow I'm flying from Alaska to Germany with brownies and a pound cake for my fathers birthday. I think it's more about how something is packed and carried that matters most.
Thanks for posting a host of bar cookie recipes. I'm a big fan of the bars. I blame my midwestern love of gooey, layered, throw-in-a-big-pan-and-bake desserts.
The cranberry curd bars look fabulous. I'll have to whip some up with my 3-year-old -- she loves all things pink and tart.
Lemon bars are extra-delicious if melted dark chocolate is spread over the top.
Dates make a good filling for bar desserts, by the way.
The blueberry bars from Smitten Kitchen are really good too.