Jessica Bakes! Chocolate Marshmallow Bars

Chewy, rich, rather sinful Chocolate Marshmallow Bars. A family favorite around here. This is what my lovely 18 year old daughter requested in lieu of a birthday cake. And I had three volunteer helpers to make it. Volunteers begging to help make it. Fighting over who got to do what.
These are oh-so-rich and require a large glass of milk or water to go with them. And you won't want to eat chocolate for a month.




To begin, recruit your helper(s) and get their hands a-washin'.



You're gonna need 3/4 of a cup of real butter, softened. Also, 3 Tablespoons of butter set aside for the topping.
I know, I know, but you need it.



Also, three eggs. I prefer my homegirls' eggs. Once you've had farm fresh eggs, you can never go back. (Unless your hens aren't laying, then you have no choice.)


1 1/2 cups granulated sugar.


1 1/3 cups enriched flour.




1 teaspoon baking powder. I always buy brands that have no aluminum sulfate in the ingredients. I don't need to increase my risk of Alzheimer's, ya know. Don't even get me started on antiperspirants.

1/2 teaspoon salt.

4 Tablespoons baking cocoa.


1 cup peanut butter. I always buy natural peanut butter. Haven't had the peanut-flavored Crisco in about 13 years. Thinking of my family's hearts.... while I make sinfully delicious junk food!




1 - 12 oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips.
1 bag mini marshmallows.
I recommend keeping both bags closed until you need them. While you can't see it well, the marshmallows were opened prematurely and several hands grabbed a few. I'm not naming names.


Toss your softened butter into your bowl.




Add the sugar and cream together.



Add your eggs. Look at the beautiful orange color of those yolks. Good job, ladies- Keep eating your greens!



Cream ingredients until light and fluffy.


Add 1 teaspoon vanilla. I always add a little more.



Have your helpers check the recipe again. Make sure you're doing it right.


Without mixing it in yet; add your flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa powder.




Mix quickly, but don't beat too long. Just enough to incorporate everything.


Generously spray cooking oil on a jelly roll pan. Then spread chocolate mixture over the pan.

Place pan in pre heated 350* oven for 15-18 minutes, or until it feels done.



Give your helpers the beaters to lick. I feel sorry for them. They don't realize that when I was a kid, beater heads were much thicker, catching a whole lot more batter on them. Aah, the good 0l' days....


Now, while it's baking, you can lay around on the floor with your dog if you like.




Or, you can pass the time chatting with your sister or looking bored.
Whatever floats your boat.





Or, like me, you can get started on the topping:

Place 3 Tablespoons of butter in a saucepan, along with the chocolate chips and peanut butter.
Heat over low heat just until everything is melted. Remove from heat.


When your cake is ready, pour the marshmallows over the top (without letting them drop into the oven, thereby causing your kitchen to smell like burned marshmallow) and return to the oven for about 5 more minutes. Until the marshmallows have puffed up and are beginning to turn golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool for ten minutes or so.





Get your topping ready.



Pour topping over the marshmallows, and spread to edges.



Then take your pan of deliciousness and place it in the fridge for an hour or two. Or the freezer for half an hour or so. We always do the freezer. No one can wait.


Look at the chocolatey goodness! When hardened, cut into bars. Serve and enjoy. You know you want to make this.

Jessica Cooks! Hawaiian Haystacks

Hawaiian Haystacks....I don't have a clue as to whether or not this is an authentic 'Hawaiian' dish. However, it's yummy and my great friend, Kristen, told me how to make it.
It's also healthy and 6 out of 8 people in my immediate family beg for it.
Are you ready?


Okay, here's what you'll need to feed 8-10 people: 5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts. (If they are very large, maybe just 4)




Rice. I like either Jasmine (not as starchy) or brown. My kids like Jasmine. Because it's not as healthy.
Also shredded cheddar or mixed cheeses. I like Mexican Blend from Costco.



One family size cream of chicken soup. Or several small cans.
Pineapple. Either tidbits (my preference) or chunks.

Also, 4 smallish tomatoes, 3-4 green onions, 1 cup sliced black olives and about 1 cup shredded coconut. (optional) You can have more olives than this if your family is olive-crazy, which mine is.
I was out of coconut. Which was okay considering I'm the only one in my family who likes it in this dish.



Okay, to get started, measure out 3 cups rice into a pot or rice cooker. I adore my rice cooker! (Thanks, Dad & Muriel)
If you don't have a rice cooker, make the rice according to directions on the package.


To the rice add 6 1/4 cups water, one tablespoon olive oil. This is for Jasmine rice. Other rice may need varying amounts of water.



See my sous chefs? Aren't they great!?



Dice up the green onions and tomatoes. Also the olives if they're not presliced. I buy the humongo cans of olives at Costco, divide it among many small containers and store them for a month in the fridge. It works for us.
But we all miss putting olives on our fingers. We have to wait for the holidays.

Cube your chicken.


Add 1 1/2 Tablespoons olive oil (EVOO) to a skillet and sautee the chicken.


Salt and pepper to taste.


Empty the cream of chicken soup into a saucepan, add milk- about 2 cups. If your brand of soup is really salty, you might want to add more.


Heat the soup until hot.


Put your toppings: cheese, pineapple, tomatoes, green onions and olives (not pictured) into bowls.
Thanks Ma for the yellow bowls- I love them!

Your rice should be done by now- fluff it with a fork.


Get your chicken ready, too.



Lay out the buffet and call the kids. Okay, call your husband, too. (Mine is one of the two people in this family who doesn't care for this wonderful dish!)



Behold the beauty! Oh how I love this light, colorful meal. And I have no Hawaiian heritage whatsoever.


My lovely just-turned-18-year-old daughter really digs this meal. It's one of her favorites. And, since it was her birthday, I made it. Just look at the joy on her face.
Okay, maybe she's annoyed I'm taking her picture and telling her to say "Stringy cheese".
She can't help but smile, though. That's just the kind of wonderful girl she is.

The Great Pacific

Aah, the Pacific Ocean at its finest. On the right days, when the weather and tides cooperate, it's simply a paradise. When the weather is foul, it can be miserable! Having lived on the coast for much of my life, I don't think I had full appreciation for the beauty there. Nope, I needed to move away to more barren country to realize just how abundant the foliage is in Oregon. I never wished for a tree in my life until moving away. I must say, however, that every part of this great country has its own beauty.

It's just that the ocean and its beaches are so amazing, breathtaking, poetry-inspiring. And so very adaptable.

Consider the following:
It's the perfect backdrop for any photography.


It brings out the marine biologist in every kid.


The cold, salty water is great for extracting both screams of delight and horror at the temperature, not to mention just plain awe at the bravery of some!


Every beach has its own uniqueness, collecting shells at one, combing for special rocks (agates!) or just warming up.


It brings out the artistic side of children.


It helps children focus on earthly properties.


It's a free playground designed by a loving Creator.


It soothes the soul and inspires the mind of the modern teen.


It's a great thing to share with others- there's plenty of room!


Its memories are something to tuck away and think on during a snowy winter's eve.



It causes cousin collaboration.




All that and more! Not to mention, when you take a closer look, the beauty goes on forever:
The Oregon forest and foliage spilling almost down to the beach.



Okay, this isn't a closer look. But the solitude of The Man of the House out there deserves to be shown.


The fog lifting over the cove.


Simple and complex patterns and textures that delight your eyes, feet and hands!




Amazing sea creatures.




These verdant grasses felt smooth as silk to my bare feet.



Mussels: just a side note- my kids took a couple back to camp to cook and try. They weren't impressed. (And when they cooked, the meat was fluorescent orange...who knew?)
And, of course, the traditional starfish. My favorite.
The Oregon Coast is a wonderful place. I was married to my sweetheart there, brought forth three of my six children within its boundary; not to mention had another in the works. No matter where I wander, the salty sea air, abundant rain and green green forests and foliage are always with me.

 Content copyright © 2009 by Jessa at Graceful Landing