Bars - Squares - Filled

A buttery shortbread base is the throne to a special caramel filling all topped off with a yet another unique chocolate triumphurate crown. No wonder these are Millionaire Bars –they are a treasure. Forget about the economy, breathe in and out, and munch on one of these.If you like Twix bars but even better - this is just the ticket.

Apples, filo, and company coming in an hour? Be prepared to serve seconds and have recipe printed out - they'll be asking for it.

These are so good you’ll hear about it from Kilkarney to Kildare to Kansas. It's not the pipes are are calling; it's the sinfully decadent brownie with the kiss of the Irish in it. You can use Baileys Irish Cream in these or O'Caseys Irish Cream. Irish cream liqueur is a blend of Irish whisky, with pure Irish cream, and touches of vanilla. Classic Baileys Irish Cream now comes in a chocolate or caramel tinged version but the classic is what you need in this recipe. (Irish Cream is pure Irish whisky, with pure Irish cream, and vanilla, among other things – it is heavenly) This is a brownie which is about the best brownie on its own. Then you doll it up with a unique Irish Cream ganache which looks like icing but tastes like a molten truffle. Then, if you are in love or just want to be extra nice to those around you and want to go the distance, you offer a puddle of warm sticky toffee sauce on the side. You have three options and all will bring you luck and your own entourage. It's a baker thing. (For gift giving, bring the sticky toffee stuff in a jar and just box up the brownies, with the special Irish Cream frosting and a shamrock).

Not so classic but oh-so-good - what are oranges, lemons and limes doing in this buttery, decadent baklavah? Find great honey (clover or orange blossom) instead of plain old supermarket honey which has little taste, add a little filo pastry and you're a hero. In minutes, you can assemble this buttery, sweet, Greek treat that will having you dancing Zorba around the kitchen.

Forget fiddlin’ with tarts – this approach to this decadent sweetie (making them into squares or bars) makes for fast finger food you can tote to the beach. Think of a butter tart as pecan pie without the pecans. Most butter tart recipes take raisins, so feel free to add them in but these are sublime without them and have a smoother texture for their omission. Use the BB Classics Pie Dough (free recipe) or storebought if you are in a hurry. Just in time for Canada Day or anytime you want to create a decadent, easy, classic treat from Marcy Goldman at www.Betterbaking.com. This recipe is free all week so dig in!

Gooey, rich and summery squares. Big hunks to munch on at the outdoor terrace or city square or courtyard  (those cement and grass squares between buildings) on a lunch break at work or strolling in the park. This classic bar soars to new heights with contemporary touches of berries and white chocolate.

Buttermilk Cinnamon Biscotti is a mellow and spicy combination. It is like cinnamon toast but in a snappy stick of biscotti.

These bars, aka Hello Dolly’s, Layered Magic Bars, are a standby since the sixties, probably, and a back-of-product favorite recipe from condensed milk cans, is still a great, sweet, treat. Literally made in minutes, it features a graham crust and then you simply pour or layer on the ‘good stuff’ like caramel and chocolate chips, coconut, walnuts, and of course, the condensed milk. It lasts forever or freezes for an eternity and is a nice stand-by on a dessert table or in a lunch bag.  I usually double this recipe and make massive 7-Layer Bars (of course, bake long until bars appear set). Kraft now has mini caramels (unwrapped too so they're easier to use in baking) that would work well in this recipe to replace the caramel chips.