Sweet Baked Life

Don’t let the name fool you, these White Trash Bars are heavenly!

When I stumbled across this treat on Pinterest, I was intrigued — just the name alone caught my attention, and knew it was something I would have to try!

And why does this recipe have such a strange name? Well, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s because the ingredients are ones you have in your pantry that normally would not go together, or maybe it’s because you don’t use the basic butter, eggs, flour and sugar for baking a bar-type recipe.

In any event, I quickly got out the ingredients and began to assemble this unusual concoction. I even decided to make these bars a bit more “trashy” by topping them with additional toffee bits and adding some chocolate chips. As well, I think I also ended up making them just a bit less “trashy” by using homemade buttercream frosting; as the original recipe called for canned frosting, something that I just don’t really like!

You start with Ritz crackers — yes, you heard me, crackers! Then you toss in some toffee bits and mix the concoction with sweetened condensed milk. Weird, I know. That bakes up in the oven, and then once cooled, you top ’em off with some buttercream frosting, sprinkled with chocolate chips and toffee bits.

And if you don’t have the time to make your own buttercream, which takes less than 3 minutes to prepare, go ahead and be as “trashy” as you want and pile on the canned stuff! I won’t judge!

And what do you think the outcome is? Ah, it’s a sweet yet salty, chewy base with a creamy top and a bit of crunch from the toffee bits on top. Yummy!

Did my family like these? Well, you know the picky bunch, they tried a piece and told me they were too sweet. Not sure if that is possible, but I thought they were uniquely good! And a fun bar to make when you are short on time and ingredients and need to whip up something fast as last-minute dessert.

White Trash Bars

2 sleeves Ritz crackers
1 -1/4 cups Heath Toffee Bits
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups vanilla buttercream frosting (homemade* or canned)
1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

Heat your oven to 350 degrees. Prepare an 8×8-inch pan (I used an 8×10-inch pan) with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.

In a large zip lock baggie, add the crackers, seal and crush with a rolling-pin. Open baggie and add 1 cup of the toffee bits, close baggie and shake until combined. Dump mixture into the prepared pan. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the mixture and stir until combined. I found this easier done with my hands! Then press into the pan until evenly distributed.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the top and edges turn a golden brown. Cool completely on a rack. When cooled, top with your favorite buttercream frosting, then sprinkle with the chocolate chips and the remaining 1/4 cup of toffee bits. Cut into 12 squares and serve.

*Easy Homemade Buttercream Frosting: Add 2 cups of confectioners sugar, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened, 2 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract to a large bowl of an electric mixer with the paddle attachment. Beat on medium speed 1-2 minutes until creamy. If too thick or too thin add either more milk or more sugar, a little at a time, until frosting reaches the consistency you like.

Get ready to trick your taste buds with these no-joke sweet and sticky White Trash Bars!

 

{recipe adapted from Cookies and Cups}