Perfectly Simple & Easy Poor Boy Bars

Folks, we are definitely into Fall weather here in Florida.

Just yesterday, I saw a palm frond fall from one of my Royal Palm trees.

Oh wait, the fronds fall regularly!

OOPS!!!!!

Ok, we don’t have drastic changes of seasons in Florida, but we do get a chill in the air.

Some times.

Some years.

This morning for example, the early morning temperature was 56 degrees!!!

Brrrrrr!!!!

I had to put on a sweater to sit on my lanai.

It is so peaceful sitting out there at ‘first light’ listening to the birds morning songs. 🙂

(By the way, I have never seen a pheasant here in Florida, but there are many in Kansas where I am from, so I had to use the pheasants in this vignette of Fall.)

AND if one has a nice hot cup of coffee or tea, AND a moist, cinnamon-y raisin-y bar with a  cream cheese glaze….

Well, that is FALL perfection for sure.

These bars are so simple to make and with very few ingredients.

The story that goes with these Poor Boy Bars is this:

Many years ago….at least 50 years and WAY before my time…(yeah right), these bars were more or less thrown together with whatever one had in a ‘usually almost bare’ pantry.

In those days one made do…with what one had.

Consequently, these Poor Boy Bars live up to their name ….there are only two spices, cinnamon and nutmeg. 

There is sugar, flour, baking soda and baking powder BUT the liquid is water!

I suspect the raisins were added years later, (if one had them), but when I came upon this recipe that was handed down to me….I also added the nuts, which were probably pretty scarce in those days.

Over the years I have added a cream cheese glaze, but the simple addition of regular powdered sugar and water (or milk) drizzled over the top make these Poor Boy Bars extra special in flavor.

 

 

You can use a thicker glaze as I did on the larger pan of bars, or you can put the glaze on while the bars are still warm as I did on the Leaf Platter bars.

You can make them more fancy by covering every bit of the top of the bars with the glaze…. or let the glaze go where it wants, as I did.

 

Poor Boy bars

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes (do not over bake)

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg ( I like to grate my own nutmeg …it just tastes better)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (Optional)

 

In a large sauce pan, simmer the butter, raisins and water for 5 minutes, Cool

Add the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt

Add the nuts if desired

Pour into a greased 8 X 8 pan

 

Powdered Sugar Glaze 

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 2 teaspoons water or milk

Mix the above and drizzle over the top of the Bars.

Recipe may be doubled if desired.

A perfect Fall tasting bar that is so perfectly simple and easy to make!

…And God is able to Bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work….

II Corinthians 9:8

Blessings Always,