Yesterday, Uncle Josh turned the big 4-0.
Knowing that he has a particular weakness for chocolate and peanut butter, I made him a batch of his favorite Wonder Bars.
Josh is my favorite person to cook for.
He likes everything I make and he has absolutely no self-control.
He will eat the entire batch of Wonder Bars, which is very gratifying for the baker — it means that every last graham cracker crumb, each morsel of milk chocolate, each shake of sifted sugar was totally worth the effort.
I gave Josh his Wonder Bars at his birthday party, which a friend hosted in Malibu. Here are a few photos from the afternoon:
It was a fabulous day with perfect weather, amazing views, and wonderful friends sharing in the celebration. But my favorite part was when they brought out the birthday cake. Some people absolutely love the attention of the birthday song. They grin from ear to ear with self-content, thoughtfully contemplate a birthday wish, then pause with gusto before blowing out the candles. And then there are other people:
Happy Birthday, Uncle Joshie Poo! Your Niecey Poo loves you.
JOSH’S FAVORITE WONDER BARS
2 sticks unsalted butter
1 C peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
2 C powdered sugar, measured then sifted to get any lumps out
6 graham cracker sheets, crumbled into large pieces
1 23-oz package milk chocolate chips
Spray a 9×13 inch pan with cooking spray. In a heavy saucepan, melt butter over the lowest possible heat. Using a rubber spatula, add peanut butter and mix until peanut butter is melted. Remove from heat and add sugar in 3 additions, stirring until well combined. Add graham crackers and mix thoroughly. Spread into your 9×13 inch pan and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in a microwave-safe container for 1 minute. Stir, then return to microwave for another minute. Stir again, and your chocolate chips will probably all be melted. (If not, return to the microwave in 30-second increments until melted and easy to stir.)
Spread melted chocolate over chilled peanut butter mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour, then cut into bars. Store in the refrigerator.
xoxo,
