The Ritz Bar

After all the holiday entertaining, are you sometimes left with all sorts of crackers from those cheese and cracker trays?   We are. I usually put the crackers in large baggies and consequently end up tossing them away. 

The following recipe helps to use up left over crackers.  After all, you may not eat the crackers but you will go for a good, sweet  treat.

• 2 rolls Ritz Crackers (mine were reduced fat Ritz)
• 1/2 cup Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (I used Promise Healthy Choice Margarine)

Using a food processor, add the crackers, cocoa, and sugar. This will mix and grind at the same time.  Once a fine crumb, add the butter in slices and mix again until crumbly.

Spray a 9 x 9 square pan with non stick spray and press the crumb mixture into it, lining the bottom and up the sides.  Try to keep it a nice thin layer. If it’s too thick, it will be dry.

Place in the refrigerator for about 15 – 20 minutes.

• 1 (14 oz) can Fat Free Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1/2 cup Chocolate Chips (I used the mini chips)
• 1/2 cup Dried Cherries
• 1/2 cup chopped Walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Pour the milk over the crumb mixture which you pressed in the pan. 

Sprinkle on the chips. 

Sprinkle on the cherries. 

Top with the walnuts. 

Bake for 30 – 35 minutes or until top is brown.

Allow to cool about 10 minutes and slice into bars while still warm.  Wait to cool, and remove from pan.

It’s amazing how simple Ritz crackers can end up tasting just like a brownie! 

It seems everything I’ve baked lately has resulted in tasting like a brownie.  What’s up with that?!!!

Joanne