FOURTH OF JULY S'MORES BARS

A few years ago Over the Big Moon posted this fabulous recipe for Fourth of July S'mores Bars. I'm always looking for S'mores recipes, and the addition of Red, White, and Blue M&Ms (available everywhere!) makes these S'mores Bars so festive.  They're also easy, and you can make ahead! Perfect for the barbecue, camping, or taking to friends.

FOURTH OF JULY S'MORES BARS

Ingredients:
1 package of Oreos, crushed into fine crumbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
7 graham cracker squares (just enough to create a layer in the pan)
3 – 8 oz ounce bars of milk chocolate (for that 'real' S'mores flavor)
4 cups mini marshmallows
2 cups Red, White, & Blue M&M's

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line 9 x 13 pan with aluminum foil, leaving a bit of an overhang.
Crush Oreo Cookies into fine crumbs. Combine crushed oreos with melted butter. Press oreo mixture into the bottom of 9×13 pan.
Pour sweet condensed milk over oreo crust.
Break up graham crackers and chocolate bar and sprinkle over sweet condensed milk.
Sprinkle mini marshmallows all over.
Bake for 30-35 minutes.
Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle all over top with M&Ms.
Put back in oven and cook for 5-7 more minutes.
Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes.
While the bars are cooling, break up the last 4 ounce chocolate bar and melt with 3 tablespoons milk on stove top until chocolate is runny enough to drizzle over bars. If needed, add more milk.
After bars are cooled, drizzle milk chocolate over top of bars.
Finish cooling before serving!

Red White & Blue Star Brownies for Memorial Day

Photo: Betty Crocker

Love this recipe from Betty Crocker. I've made it a bunch of times. You can always substitute your own brownie recipe or another brand of brownie mix, but here's the original easy recipe.

If you don't have Betty Crocker Decorating Decors stars or icing (or you think it would be too sweet), use Red, White, & Blue Holiday M&Ms. Just press them gently into the batter before baking. These are perfect for Memorial Day!

Red White & Blue Star Brownies

Ingredients 
1 box (1 lb 2.4 oz) Betty Crocker™ Original Supreme Premium brownie mix
Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
1/2 cup Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting (from 12-oz container)
Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors stars

Directions 
Heat oven to 350°F. Line 9-inch square pan with foil so foil extends about 2 inches over sides of pan. Spray foil with cooking spray. Make and bake brownies as directed on box. Cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours.
Remove brownies from pan by lifting foil; peel foil from sides of brownies. Using 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter, cut brownies. Squeeze frosting on star-shaped brownies. Sprinkle with decors.