12/12/12

salty smores bark

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Now before you go calling the "salt police" (I stole that from Emeril).
Remember when he used to say that?
I love him and dearly miss his show Emeril Live.
He was such a presence, I mean he truly got you into the food, whether you were watching from home
or were live in the audience.
I loved watching Doc watch him.  Ohhh those faces Doc would make when Emeril was putting the
finishing touches on his creations.  Priceless.  The man was hungry!
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OK so why the salt on a smores-themed bark?
Simple--it's so needed to balance out the sweetness of the marshmallows, chocolate and graham chunks.
With all those there is just too much sweet going on--we needed salt.
And the bottom of the bark is a nice buttery shortbread crust. Not too sweet not too salty, just right.
You know my love for barks around this time of year, and how I'm always striving to make a really good bark to giveaway to friends and my clients.
Everyone loves my Cheez It bark, but this year I wanted to do something different and something tasty, so that when they took their first bite, they said "oh, ok, this is rich and different--what is that crust...".
And the verdict from everyone that got a sample of this bark?
Thumbs up, can I order more? How long till I get it?
And the best part?  It's easy to make.
A hard part ? (because you always ask me "what's the hard part of this?").
If you have to find a hard part?  I just can't.
We mix the butter shortbread crust, we bake it, we immediately top it it with toppings, and let it set up.  That's it.
So maybe waiting for it to set up is the hard part?
And, trust me on adding a touch of sea salt to the top of the chocolate?
AND!!  If you're thinking of adding nuts to this?  I do think you are a clever little foodie--that sounds
fabulous.
You're gonna love this one--it's perfect for gift giving.
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Note: this is when you add on a touch of sea salt!
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salty smores bark
from vanillasugarblog.com
shortbread recipe from pastrychefonline.com
print recipe

shortbread:

8 oz. unsalted butter, room temp
½ cup confectioners sugar 
2 cups cake flour 
¼ teaspoon salt

smore toppings:
8-10 ounces good quality milk chocolate chips
3/4 cup +/- mini marshmallows
1/2 - 3/4 cup rough chop graham crackers
pinch or 3 or sea salt
(adding nuts might be a good idea too!)

I used an 8 or 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom; this would work best, if you don't have this
then use an 8 or 9 inch baking pan and spray with non stick spray and/or line with parchment paper.  
In a bowl (stand mixer or otherwise), cream together butter, sugar and salt.
Slowly work in cake flour until well combined. No need to overmix, lumps here and there are fine.
Using wet fingertips, spread dough into pan, making sure to get all the corners evenly.
Place prepared pan into fridge to firm up a bit before baking.  At least an hour. 
If you cover this well enough you can leave it overnight.
When ready to bake, preheat over to 350 degrees.
Bake 21 - 25 minutes until edges are LIGHTLY golden brown.  
Don't look for complete golden brown. 
Make sure to rotate pan halfway through baking too. 
Once it comes out of the oven place the milk chocolate chips on the top, let them melt a bit then spread
with knife or spoon and evenly spread around pan, not getting too close to the edges.
Sprinkle the chocolate with a nice hint of sea salt.
Place on the chopped graham crackers and the marshmallows.   
Using your hand, GENTLY push down the toppings so they sink into the chocolate--
don't push too hard. 
Please let this cool, then harden before slicing into it.
Makes about 15-18 bars; depending on how you slice them. 

16 comments:

  1. I made smores bars this week but used an Oreo crust rather than shortbread. Your shortbread is nice and THICK, just the way I love it. And all those graham crackers - yum!

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  2. Shortbread is magic. And your magic plus shortbread magic is just The Best! Love it, Dawn. And yay, salt! :)

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  3. Good choice. I would never have thought to add salt to cut down on the sweet factor.

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  4. Yum! A wonderful thing to gift!

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  5. I loved watching Emeril Live. I always watched it with my late grandparents so every time I see him I think of them and smile.

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  6. These look great and I wish I could reach into the screen right now to have one with my coffee. :-) I've loved Emeril since before his TV fame and love to cook his books. We don't have a Trader Joe's, Costco, or Whole Foods; but, we have Emeril's Chophouse, Emeril's Italian Table, and Burgers & More by Emeril at the Sands Casino. :-)

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  7. ooh, bark does make a great gift! you've got some lucky recipients :)

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  8. I'm going to have to make these! Wow. Super delicious combo and the salt addition is perfect.

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  9. very nice! some salted cashews would really kick these up a notch. (love me some emeril!)

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  10. Holy moly! My kids are looking over my shoulder right now and i think they are about to lick my computer screen.

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  11. I didn't really like s'mores growing up because they were too sweet for me, so I could get on board with this salted version.

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  12. These look delish! We love s'mores at our house. I should try to make some before Christmas.

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  13. Oh, btw, feel free to post whatever pics you want from my peppermint and coffee nutella macarons post. Just be sure to link back to me. Thanks. :)

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  14. I love salting just about everything and ESPECIALLY chocolate! I'd totally bail you out of salt jail if necessary.

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  15. I am dying over this! It looks so fantastic!

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  16. this is absolutely amazing! can't wait to try it!

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