Dude Bars

Hubby and I got back a week ago today from Arkansas.  You might be asking, what in the heck are you two doing there.  Glad you asked.  We went to spend a long weekend with our long time dear friends Dean and Mark who shared their love for each other by exchanging vows and getting married. It had to be one of the BEST weddings, besides ours, that I have attended. 

From the beautiful setting at the 21C hotel to the incredible décor of fresh eucalyptus perfectly adorning the middle of the tables to the outstanding music to the ceremony that was simple yet perfectly executed a story of their love for one another.  We laughed, cried, hugged, danced, ate, drank and had a simply magnificent time.  This post is dedicated to you two beautiful souls who I am proud to call my dear friends.  You are two cool dudes and will have to make these Dude Bars for you when I see you next. Cheers to Dean and Mark!

I found this recipe several months ago for “Man Bars” and thought they were intriguing and sounded tasty and simple to make.  I finally got around to whipping up a batch and the end result was nothing short of amazing.  I changed the recipe a bit by increasing the vanilla and adding toasted coconut. 

I am sure there are many questions swirling around as to why they were named Man Bars.  I also wanted to put my own spin on them and call them “Dude Bars”.  Being from California, I thought it was a hip name and eye catching.  Perhaps since they are easy to make, they were called Man Bars.  Perhaps since they are tasty a Man would like them, but then a woman would too typically. Perhaps it was simply because a woman out there created the recipe and decided that she wanted to make something tasty for her man.  I am going to go with the last perhaps.  Let me know your thoughts on why they were named Man Bars, even though I changed them to Dude Bars.

Dude Bars

1 (14 oz) Box Graham Crackers, crushed into crumbs

1 (12 oz) Bag Semi Sweet Chocolate chips

1 Cup Finely Chopped Pecans, Toasted

2 (14 oz) Cans Sweetened Condensed Milk

¾ Cup Toasted Coconut

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

½ teaspoon Salt

2 to 3 Cups Powdered Sugar

Combine graham cracker crumbs (about 4 cups total), chocolate chips, pecans, coconut, condensed milk, vanilla and salt in a bowl and mix until well combined to make a batter.

Line a 13 x 9 baking pan with parchment paper then spread batter into pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until set.

Completely cool in pan, remove then cut into squares.  Add powdered sugar to a medium bowl then add squared and toss to coat.  Store in an airtight containter.

Makes about 48 squares.