Thursday, August 6, 2015

Happy Birthday Bars & August's Give-Away-Apron

August is a celebratory month--today, is my sister Barbara's birthday, Monday, our daughter Erin will celebrate hers and this is also the month that I started My Mother's Apron Strings.  Actually, our daughter Kelly set up the blog for me since I'm one big klutz technically:-D

This cookie bar (and others) is in the latest Food Network magazine and I'm a sucker for birthday cake, so I was anxious to try this simple recipe.  Mom always made our birthdays special by allowing us to choose what kind of cake; not a fancy, expensive party with clowns, ponies, or magicians, but family dinners with our choice of cake.  Memorable!

Happy Birthday Bars
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 T Vanilla extract
1/2 cup multi-color sprinkles

2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt

Vanilla Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups confectioners' sugar
4 oz. white chocolate, melted
1 T Vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line a 9" x 13" baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with a baking spray.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, using a wire whisk, mix the sugar, melted butter and vanilla together.  Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Switch to using a rubber spatula, add the flour and salt, then, add the multi-color sprinkles and stir to combine.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth to cover completely.
 Bake in preheated oven for 23-25 minutes just until a light golden color.
Allow the bars to cool, then icing them with the vanilla frosting and sprinkle on more multi-color sprinkles.  Enjoy!
I spent the day in my sewing room catching up on projects.  It's been so hot, but we finally did get some rain.  Here is August's Give-Away Apron, which coincidentally reminds me of these sprinkles:-D  Just comment on any of the posts this month and you could be wearing this apron in September!


  

25 comments:

  1. What a "happy apron"....that's what comes to mind when I look at the fabric. And, the birthday cake....I suspect the sprinkles would bring out the kid in anyone !!

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    1. Absolutely! I just love birthday cake; it must be the memories that come with it:-D

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  2. And I just celebrated my birthday last week :-)) The cake looks so colourful and delicious, Susan.

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    1. Happy belated Birthday, Angie--hope you had a wonderful day! XOXO

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  3. My granddaughter loves to bake. She is just four. This will be a great project for us to bake. The apron is gorgeous . Thanks for the inspiration.

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    1. My grands will be here in a few weeks and I love baking with them too!

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  4. I love the apron! And the cake looks so fun and festive. Thanks for the recipe.

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    1. The bars are very, very good...and so easy to make!

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  5. What a fun apron! the cake looks fun and yummy!
    stamping sue
    http://stampingsueinconnecticut.blogspot.com/

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  6. This is such a bright and happy apron. It so matches your cake. I would love to wear this apron daily, as it would always keep me in a good mood with those bright colors. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. It would bring a whole feeling of happiness!

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  7. Love the cheerful BD cake. We did that too, with 5 children in the family, dinner at home with a special BD cake. Love the apron. I am a lover of Riley Blake fabric and have made several bed quilts for the young people in the family, and one of my favorites for myself. My collection of these fabrics now rivals my 30's and 40's and will require a big bin shortly as I am about to acquire some more. Love your blog. Stephani in N. TX (Tomazec@aol.com)

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    1. Isn't this a fun design by Riley Blake? It was just so happy and life is too short not to be happy! Thank you for stopping by,

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  8. Happy Birthday to your sis and daughter. August is a terrific month for birthdays here @ 44 too.
    Must have been a lot of hanky panky in our families in that early winter month.
    Have a great day!

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  9. What a fun apron. I will need to try the recipe soon. Who doesn't like birthdays and sprinkles?

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    1. We loved them here! Can't wait until the grands arrive in a few weeks to let them have a taste.

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  10. This is the most cheerful apron ever!! And such a fun cake!

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  11. Tiger would love this cake! Sprinkles! What a happy apron! Love it, you pick such cute fabrics each month and this one is a favorite!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  12. That apron just sparkles! Do the sprinkles get soft in the cake, because I don't like them as they come from the jar - strictly a texture issue. So, if they do get soft, I will definitely try this cake! Thank you

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    1. Yes, they get soft and this cookie bar is a winner!

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  13. That looks delicious. I am going to have to give them a try. Love the colors of your apron. My nieces fell in love with the rose apron I won from you a few years ago. They thought it was beautiful. Of course they are correct.

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  14. Love the bright colors in the apron, it reminds me of some scrapbook paper I've used in the past. Happy, friendly colors!

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