Livin' the Dream in Lima

Time for this week's pumpkin recipe! Despite a full week of parent/teacher conferences (and cupcake baking), I did  actually get a pumpkin recipe made. This is the second to last week before Thanksgiving, so only one more recipe after this. That is, until next year... I came up with today's recipe after seeing a recipe for Browned Butter Pumpkin Spice Rice Krispie Treats and another recipe for Golden Graham S'mores Bars .  First of all, I love  rice krispie treats. Just love. Such crispy, marshmallowy goodness. Made even better with the addition of peanut butter and/or chocolate. (But not those nasty processed ones in the metallic blue wrappers, ewww.) Last year, I made Cake Batter Rice Krispies and Oreo Rice Krispies for my students on the last day of school, and I think I was more excited than they were. These rice krispies have are the perfect  'adult' rice krispie treat for fall. They're sweet and just a bit spicy, thanks to the cinnamon, clo...

Yesterday, on my drive back to the Bean Town, I mentioned I stopped at the 'Bux for my first Peppermint Mocha of the season. While there, my eyes to their 'Cranberry Bliss Bars.' I didn't purchase one, but I remembered I had tried a copy-cat recipe of this a couple years ago. And I loved it! I pulled out the recipe and made them today. Mine! Starbucks! (I think their photography might be a little better... Still looks pretty close though!) They are a little more complicated than your average bar cookie, as they start with a soft base, sort of a cross between a cake and a brownie. Then they are frosted with a cream cheese frosting, sprinkled with cranberries, and drizzled with white chocolate.  Cookie base. With the frosting. With the cranberries & the white almond bark drizzle. The extra work is totally worth it! I love these with a morning cup of coffee. Or an afternoon cup of coffee. Or an evening cup of coffee. (You get the idea...) Or even ...