Zucchini Chocolate Bars

This cookie bar surprised me. I read zucchini and coconut and wondered how it would come together. Marvelously indeed.

To recap my last day baking will be a delight. The sun is out and I made my final decent to the grocery store for what I thought was all I needed. Zucchini and eggs. My errands were done and it was just me and my clean kitchen, clean apron and pearls ready to get started. I am surrounded by fresh flowers, my favorite candle was lit, as well as my favorite music was kickin. The only thing was to pour a glass of wine. Yes I know it was in the middle of the day, however it was what Julia would have wanted me to do. Be surrounded by everything I love while enjoying the process.

I looked over the recipe 2 times and thought the only butter I needed was a melted part at the end. I was wrong. I actually started laughing about this. How many times did this butter thing get me. Whether it was putting it out in advance or measuring the right amount. I will never think of butter the same way. Oh and the most important item it asked for was shredded zucchini. So I pulled out my processor and proceeded to shred my 2 cups. After looking at this slaw like pile I am concerned how this cookie bar is going to taste? Then I read, to place a handful of grated not shredded zucchini in a paper towel and wring out the moisture. I started rethinking, am I supposed to grate or shred. I took another zucchini and began to grate it. You probably already know what happened to that. It pretty much turned into water. I decided to stick with the shredded and hoped for the best.

The rest of the mixture was a breeze, until I came to the chocolate chips. There isn't a time that I haven't had any in my kitchen an there wasn't a recipe out of this book that I recall that I needed any. But today I'm out, so compromise it is. I had semi sweet chocolate pieces that I chopped and it worked perfectly. Then on to the glaze, wouldn't you know it calls for a cup of confectioners sugar and I only had 1/2 cup left. I quickly grabbed my half full measuring cup, with apron and pearls on, ran to do the old fashion task aan ask the neighbor?, "Can I borrow a 1/2c. of sugar?" Thankfully my sweet neighbor, has everything on hand, and helped me out in pinch. Last recipe down and it smells de vine in my kitchen.

How can I wrap up the rest of my thoughts about my journey in one paragraph? This adventure has been one whirl wind of an experience. I have learned more baking tricks, own more cookware, and have a huge appreciation of what Sharon and Theresa have accomplished in putting this book together. So many little details to help us bake in their shoes. My grandma would be proud. She baked everything from scratch and always used the same yellow Pyrex mixing bowl for all of her creations. When she passed away it was the only thing I asked for of hers. Each time I pull it out I think of her and how much she would have loved to be with me during this journey. Thank you for helping me recharge a bowl that has primarily been used for just chocolate chip cookies. I am signing off on the completion of "It's all about the Cookies", with a big smile! I will be posting one more surprise tomorrow afternoon. So tune in for the last of the last blogs. As for now, Happy baking to all and may your kitchen light up as much as ours have. Angie