Poor Mans Bars
Indulge in the simple, budget-friendly charm of Poor Man’s Bars—an old-fashioned dessert that’s both easy to prepare and irresistibly delicious. Made with pantry staples like all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and melted butter, these dense and chewy bars create the perfect balance between sweetness and texture. A touch of vanilla and optional mix-ins like chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins elevate this classic treat, while the addition of packed brown sugar adds a rich, caramel-like flavor that melts into every bite. Ready in just 40 minutes from start to finish, these bars are perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or a quick dessert fix. Bake up a batch of these golden delights and enjoy a nostalgic, fuss-free dessert that’s big on flavor yet easy on the wallet.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1.5 cups Granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Butter (melted)
- 3 Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup Brown sugar (packed)
- 0.5 cup Optional: Chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
In a separate bowl, melt the butter and let it cool slightly. Whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix until a thick batter forms.
Gently fold in the brown sugar and any optional ingredients like chocolate chips, nuts, or raisins if desired.
Spoon the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the bars cool completely on a wire rack before slicing into squares or rectangles.
Serve and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4966 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 240.0 g | 308% | |
| Saturated Fat | 146.1 g | 730% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1073 mg | 358% | |
| Sodium | 1936 mg | 84% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 667.9 g | 243% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 14.5 g | 52% | |
| Total Sugars | 465.3 g | ||
| Protein | 53.8 g | 108% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.1 mcg | 15% | |
| Calcium | 346 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 18.6 mg | 103% | |
| Potassium | 1010 mg | 21% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
