Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Easy Chocolate Pecan Bars and Running Away from Home

Ever have those days/weeks/months/years when life overwhelms you?

Well, last week I decided I'd had enough, so I packed my laptop and ran away from home. With my husband's blessing, of course. 

Where did I go?

The ranch. 
There I was able to sit back and breathe freely, enjoying views like this.
Not to mention unobstructed sunrises. 
Note that there are no houses to block my view.

It doesn't matter where one tries to hide from reality, though, reality dictates we must eat. 
So why not treat yourself.

This is one of my favorite treats, though I rarely make it because I'm the one who usually ends up eating all of it. Fortunately, like the Pumpkin Squares I shared last week (recipe here), it only makes a small pan, meaning I polished them off in a mere two days, so the guilt is minimal.

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a square baking pan (8 x 8 or 9 x 9).

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
 I paused to chop my pecans.
Then stirred them into the flour mixture and set the bowl aside.

In a small bowl, add the brown sugar to the melted butter and mix well.
Let that mixture cool just a bit before adding one beaten egg and the vanilla.
Pour that into the flour mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
Spread the batter into your prepared pan.
And sprinkle with chocolate chips.
While you're licking the bowl, bake the bars for 20- 25 minutes for a 9 x 9 pan, 25-30 minutes for an 8 x 8 pan, or until center is done.
Just look at those pecans and the melty chocolate. 
Be still my heart.

Yes, I was definitely in my happy place. Just me, my laptop, lots of tea and these to-die-for treats. No one to worry about fixing dinner for, no laundry, no being pulled in two different direction, no worries at all. 

But alas, all good things must come to an end. Especially when you start missing your family. For as much as they can drive me crazy, a life without a little craziness gets a little boring.

Now it's your turn. Have you ever wanted to run away from home? Have you ever actually done it?

16 comments:

  1. Oh my. Me, alone, with that pan of oozing goodness.... I have little self-control, that would have been my mainstay!!!!

    Running away from home.... :) It's funny, my sister-in-law is housesitting for her kids' dogs and she said last night "I could get used to this. No worries about meals, come and go as I please..."

    She was kidding, but I totally get it! Sometimes it's nice to just "be".

    We all need a retreat now and again, and gosh, that ranch looks like a stellar place to do it. I'd probably move there and let them come visit. I'm probably not kidding!!!! :)

    Good for you, I hope it was productive as heck!!

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    1. It's nice to just "be." I like that, Ruthy. Totally get it, too.

      And yes, it was productive.

      As for the pan of oozing goodness, let's look at it this way. If you know you're going to be there for X amount of days, you'll have to pace yourself, instead of eating it all in one day. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. :)

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  2. Well, if I ran away from home I'd be running away from myself. LOL And yes, I enjoy the solitude - mostly. I've had a bit too much of it this past years since I've really only gone out for dr's appointments or physio treatments. A change of scenery would be lovely though -- especially if it involved a cottage by the sea in Ireland. :-)

    I made the pumpkin cake, Mindy. I was going to post a picture on facebook but it didn't look purty like yours did so I ate it instead. Yum.

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    Replies
    1. You are too funny. Sounds like something I would do. Chuckle

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    2. Yeah, Kav, like there's nothing prettier than a can with a line through it. Glad you liked it though. Just reading your post is making me want it again.

      A cottage by the sea in Ireland, huh? I could get into that. Just let me know when, Kav. ;)

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  3. Looks yummy, especially the chocolate chips.

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    Replies
    1. The pecans are my favorite part, Sandra. But let's face it, chocolate is always a welcome addition. And I do love chocolate AND pecans.

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  4. I've been contemplating a retreat like this. Every few days, I start looking for a cabin to rent - that allows pets, since my husband would appreciate it if I took Thatcher along - where I could spend some time just concentrating on writing.

    Eventually, I'll do it...maybe when a deadline starts getting too close!

    I hope you were productive at the ranch.

    And yes, the bars look soooo gooood!

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    Replies
    1. Jan, I did have my dogs with me. Which meant I had to pause for "ball" breaks for Maddie. But hey, a little fresh air clears the brain.

      I hope you do get a chance to run away. It's nice to be able to put everything else aside (except for the dogs, that is) and immerse oneself in writing.

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful getaway! How long did you stay?? I would love to do something like that. I'll meet you next time! ;)

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    1. Missy, I only had two and a half days to myself, then my guys showed up for a hunting weekend. I enjoyed cooking for them, but it definitely took away from my respite.

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    2. And yes, you should definitely join me next time!

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  6. Oh, Mindy, I don't know if I'm more jealous of the treats or the time alone.

    I used to make something similar from a recipe on the Land o Lakes butter box. SO delicious!

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    Replies
    1. Okay, so here's the plan, Mary Cate. Just you and me, time away and TWO batches of these bars. One for you, one for me. What do you say?

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  7. I want to run away from home- and I live by myself :-( I was thinking about attempting my aunt's date nut balls again for a quilt thingy tomorrow night but this looks more do-able...sigh guess I should at least try to make them since they're sentimental and she's well into her 80s and need to get any questions cleared up when I go up to visit next month. hoping I can make them with her and my cousin but not sure if it'll work out

    Susanna

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  8. I want to run away from home- and I live by myself :-( I was thinking about attempting my aunt's date nut balls again for a quilt thingy tomorrow night but this looks more do-able...sigh guess I should at least try to make them since they're sentimental and she's well into her 80s and need to get any questions cleared up when I go up to visit next month. hoping I can make them with her and my cousin but not sure if it'll work out

    Susanna

    ReplyDelete