#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
  • Home
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Press
  • Writing
  • Contact

Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Recipe: Rocky Road Fudge Bars

April 28, 2010 · Narrative

Marshmallows, chocolate, and nuts come together in a delicious bar that is perfect for what ails you.

Rocky Road Fudge Bars

One night last week when I was catching up on Facebook, the little instant message window popped up.

“I had a bad day today.  I don’t think tomorrow will be any better.  I think sweets will help.”

Talk about a call to duty.  It was all I needed to hear.  What is it about sweets, or perhaps mostly chocolate, that make us feel better?  Even if just for a moment?

I turned to Pillsbury’s Bars & Cookies cookbook, a book I have been slowly working my way through lately (the Dream Bars and the Cherry … come from there as well) and flipped through it, looking for something to catch my eye.  I folded down a few pages with possibilities, and ultimately ended up going with the Rocky Road Fudge Bars.  With its multiple layers of chocolate, I knew it wouldn’t fail me.  Or her.

And it didn’t.  I love that a recipe from nearly 40 years ago is still just as relevant (and delicious!) as it was back then.  The bars are three layers of nutty, marshmallow-y, chocolate-y goodness.  I was especially fond of the chocolate glaze on top.  The kids loved them, fighting over the last piece.  I only kept one row of the bars at home, quickly disseminating the rest of the dish to our friend-in-need-of-sweets-asap and my office because I knew if they hung around here, we’d all be in trouble.

That’s not to say, of course, that we don’t need to make these again.  Because we do.  And we will be.  You should too.  Just sayin’.

Project 365
April 28, 2010, Photo #85

I love seeing the behind-the-scenes reveals on how food bloggers and food stylists get their “money shots,” and I thought about that as I shot the pictures of these Rocky Road Fudge Bars. Perhaps you’d like a peek at the behind-the-scenes of one of my pictures?  The best light in the house is a window at the end of the kitchen, and a window by my desk in the office. I don’t want to use a flash, if at all possible, so if I’m taking an inside picture, I shoot in one of these two windows.  I want to get the plate as close to the window as I can, but manage to lose the outside scenery, so you just see the food.

You can see I have to stack a few things so I can set the plate down to get the picture. I’d really like to build out a small ledge to make it a permanent spot to take pictures; perhaps that’s a summer project. You can also see some of the extraneous other things I have to contend with when taking my food pictures. Our own little Swiper.

First a look at me to see if I’m paying attention to what she’s about to attempt. “Mommy, no watch me, okay?”

Swiper Checks the Coast-1

Then a smile as she focuses on the prize.

Swiper No Swiping-1

Then complete seriousness and steely concentration as a little hand moves in for the steal.

Swiper Moves in for the Steal-1

Rocky Road Fudge Bars
Pillsbury Bake-Off Contest 1972
Recipe courtesy of Pillsbury Best of the Bake-Off Cookies & Bars

Heat oven to 350.  Grease 13×9″ pan with shortening or cooking spray; lightly flour.  In 2-quart saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter and 1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate (cut into pieces) over low heat, stirring until smooth.  Remove from heat.  Stir in 1 cup flour and remaining base ingredients (1 cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp vanilla, 2 eggs, 3/4 cup chopped nuts) until well mixed.  Spread in pan.

In small bowl, beat 6 oz. softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 egg with electric mixer on medium speed 1 minute, scraping bowl occasionally, until smooth and fluffy.  Stir in 1/4 cup chopped nuts.  Spread over chocolate mixture; sprinkle evenly with 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips.

Bake 25 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Immediately sprinkle with two cups mini marshmallows.  Bake 2 minutes longer.

While marshmallows are baking, in 3-quart saucepan, cook 2 oz. softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/4 cup milk and 1 oz unsweetened baking chocolate (cut into pieces)  over low heat, stirring until blended.  Remove from heat.  Stir in 3 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.  Immediately pour frosting over puffed marshmallows and lightly swirl with knife to marble.  Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.  For bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows.  Store in refrigerator.

Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPRINT

Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Pillsbury Bake-Off Cookies and Bars, Rocky Road Fudge Bars, taking food pictures

Comments

  1. Sarah Caron says

    April 28, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    She’s adorable! And wow to your stack of things to make that photo happen.

    Reply
  2. mandy says

    April 28, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    You do go to great lengths to get such a great shot!

    I have made these brownies numerous times before.

    Yesterday I was having a horrible no good very bad day and absolutely needed chocolate.

    Reply
  3. pamela says

    April 28, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    Oh, she’s so sly! These look great. And the things we do for good food pictures, right? :)

    Reply
  4. Joanne says

    April 29, 2010 at 6:15 am

    I love the balancing act that you’ve got going on just to take that photo. There is one light in my apartment that gives good light and so I’ve made a makeshift table under it by stacking things together. It’s perfect for night photos, albeit kind of low tech. During the day, my desk is actually the perfect place for natural light photo-taking.

    Maddie is so adorable, but judging by how delicious these look, I don’t blame her for trying to sneak one!

    Reply
  5. Patsy says

    April 29, 2010 at 8:29 am

    chocolate can cure anything – especially a bad day! Love the shots of your little swiper… too cute!

    Reply
  6. Ramona says

    April 29, 2010 at 10:13 am

    My cat Putter lurks by my plate waiting for a chance to nab something off of it.

    Reply
  7. Tyanne says

    April 29, 2010 at 10:15 am

    She is so cute. Sounds like a good recipe. My kids Loved the Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cupcakes and I loved your frosting. Yummy!!!

    Reply
  8. Kris #40 says

    April 29, 2010 at 1:49 pm

    They look yummeeee! Maddie is such a monkey!

    You need something like a petshelf by your window. Go to Miles Kimball.com and check out the pet section.

    Reply
  9. Jesse says

    April 29, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    Oh those look yummy!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Storytelling…
Through photos.
Words. And recipes.

Archives

Categories

Instagram

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

Pinterest

#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

Copyright © 2023 Sweetnicks · Theme by Vicki Harrison Design