Can't get online, better bake some bars

It feels good to be back online!  The other day our power cord died for our computer! It wasn't quite unexpected since we've had to wiggle it around for the past few weeks to get it to show up as plugged in.  But I didn't plan for it to completely stop working like it did, and being unprepared I didn't have a back up plug either.  After calling around to different places I found they are not cheap to replace at about $70!  Thankfully I did more digging before sending Mr. Bacon off to buy a new one.  Turns out after a quick search from my phone on amazon, I found one for under $15.  A couple clicks and it was on it's way.  Of course it didn't arrive when they said it would, but an extra day delay and a $55 savings wasn't too bad for my pocketbook.

But what to do when you have a few extra days to be unplugged?  Since the weather was beautiful in Minnesota the kids and I decided to bake.  One of our favorite activities.  We baked up some of Mr. Bacon's favorites, sinckerdoodles.  And for dinner we decided to make pizza puffs, which are often requested around here!  But I wanted something else, with chocolate.

I dug around the cupboard and noticed I already had everything for making bars.  What kind? They are called 'Can't leave alone bars', or 'better than xxx bars'.   But one name was too big of a name for the kids to say and the other not appropriate so we renamed them Miracle bars. Why? Because it's a miracle if there are any left at the end of the day when after you made them! Yes they are that good!

Want to know how to bake up your own?

Miracle bars

What you need:
Box of white cake mix (ignore the instructions on the back)
1 cup chocolate chips
1 can sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated!)
1/2 stick butter (1/4 cup)

2 eggs
1/3 cup oil

In mixing bowl place cake mix, eggs and oil.  Mix until dough forms

In microwave safe bowl place sweet milk, butter and chocolate chips. Microwave until the chocolate chips are melted. For me that was about a minute.  Mix well to combine everything.

Now it's time to assemble the bars.  Take 2/3 of the dough and press it into the bottom of a well greased 9x13 pan.  I like to get my hands a bit wet with water, not quite damp but not so the water is running off them either.  Wet hands will allow you to press the dough into the pan and not have it stick to you. Some people flour their hands, that's too much mess for me! Once the dough is in the bottom, pour your chocolate mixture over it. 

Next with wet hands again, pinch off a ball of dough from what is remaining in the bowl.  There is no exact amount, I'd say less than golf ball size.  Take the ball and press it flat between your hands.  Take the dough and then lay it on top of the chocolate.  Don't worry if it looks odd shaped, rips or tears while you place it on. I promise it will still taste great!  If you want to be really creative you can roll out this dough and use cookie cutters to make shapes to lay on the chocolate too!  Continue to do this until all the dough is used up. 

  

Bake them in a 350* oven for 20-25 minutes until the tops turn golden brown.  Let cool completely before cutting.  Yes that is the gooey chocolate I was talking about! ENJOY!