Care Packages: Baked Goods

Ok so I don’t know if you noticed but I kind of like to bake, umm a lot! And when the Hubster is deployed he likes to get some of my baked goodies even when he is away from home. The problem arises in the logistics of it all. How do you get yummy delicious baked goods all the way across the world? And have them arrive in one piece and still taste fresh? Well over the years I’ve figured it out. There a couple of tricks to keep in mind. First bake things that are substantial. A thin crispy wafer type cookie is probably going to be a bag of crumbs by the time it makes it there. Breads do well like banana and pumpkin. Chocolate chip cookies survive as well. Second, is wrapping, individually wrap everything and then place in a zip bag. If you do a cookie wrap them bottom to bottom it gives them a little more stability. Lastly you need to make sure the box that you are sending the goodies in is well filled. Use bubble wrap if you have it, if not use plastic bags from the grocery store. Place whatever you are using in the bottom then place your baked goods on top finally fill the box with more bubble wrap. Tape and send off! For this care package I made S’more cookies.

Here’s what you’ll need:

1 cup butter, room temperature

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup sugar

2 large eggs

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 2/3 cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 tsp baking powder   

1/2 tsp salt

3 Giant-sized milk chocolate bars (I used Hershey’s make sure you get the GIANT sized ones)

3 cups marshmallow cream (not melted marshmallows)

 

 

Here’s how you make it:

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13x9 baking pan. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light. Beat in eggs and vanilla. In a small bowl, whisk together flour, graham cracker crumbs, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture and mix at a low speed until combined. Divide dough in half and press half of dough into an even layer on the bottom of the prepared pan. Place chocolate bars over dough. 3 Giant-sized Hershey’s bars should fit perfectly side by side, but break the chocolate (if necessary) to get it to fit in a single layer. Spread chocolate with marshmallow cream. Place remaining dough in a single layer on top of the fluff (most easily achieved by flattening the dough into small squares and laying them together).Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool completely before cutting into bars

 

ENJOY