[The Cookie Elf File] Can't Leave Alone Bars - and How to Dress Up Cookies for Halloween

Back to Back Issues Page

[The Cookie Elf File] Can't Leave Alone Bars - and How to Dress Up Cookies for Halloween
October 22, 2014

Dear Cookie Elf reader,

Welcome back to The Cookie Elf File! About once a week, The Elf sends you an easy cookie recipe and simple baking tips for baking homemade cookies.

The Cookie Elf is on Pinterest!

Join us on Pinterest! Browse our 80+ boards (and growing) for cookie inspiration and simple baking tips, like chocolate chip cookies, no bake cookies, cookie gift baskets -- even special treats like gluten-free cookies! Happy pinning!

Feature: Can’t Leave Alone Bars: Easy Cake Mix Cookie Recipe

Image: The Cookie Elf

Can’t Leave Alone Bars (also known as Can’t Get Enough Bars) is a simple, easy cookie recipe that was first published in Quick Cooking magazine in 2001. The bar cookies are true to their name – people cannot eat just one and leave them alone – and their popularity caught on quickly. When made for a gathering, potluck, party, or just dessert, these bar cookies are the first to go.

The recipe is constructed in 3 layers, with the bottom and top layers made of the same mixture – and a cake mix at that. The middle layer, made of melted chocolate, is poured over the crust. The recipe calls for just 6 ingredients.

Prep time: about 15-20 minutes
Bake time: 20-25 minutes
Makes about 3 dozen bars

Get the full recipe for Can’t Leave Alone Bars. And you can see other cake mix cookies on our Cake Mix Cookie Recipes Pinterest Board.

Cookie Baking Tip of the Week: Dress Up Any Cookie with Holiday-Themed Sprinkles

Image: The Cookie Elf

Here’s a simple cookie baking tip – and one of The Elf’s favorites. Bake any favorite cookie recipe or bar cookie for any holiday and decorate it using holiday-themed sprinkles.

On the right, you can see how The Elf sprinkled Halloween-colored decos on the surface of Can’t Leave Alone Bars, just prior to baking. Voila! The bars are now fit for all the scarecrows and pumpkins that need a cookie treat for a snack.

Look for holiday-themed colored sprinkles for all kinds of holidays: Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Fourth of July – and then sprinkle a little magic on your favorite cookie recipe to help you celebrate.

See more helpful and interesting baking tips on The Elf’s Baking Tips Pinterest Board .

More Easy Cake Mix Cookie Recipes from The Elf

Choco-Butterscotch Bars: Bake-Off Favorite	Peanut Butter Fudge Bars: Cake Mix, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chips	Pecan Pie Surprise Bars: Cake Mix Cookie Recipe and Bake-Off Favorite	Pineapple-Coconut Bars: Yellow Cake Mix Base

That’s it for now. See you next time!

Happy baking,

The Cookie Elf
www.cookie-elf.com

Back to Back Issues Page