Easy (after) dinner recipes: Three sweet treats for Friday

It’s Friday. You’ve made it. Celebrate with these tempting dessert recipe ideas:

Julienne’s graham cracker chewy bars: These delicious little bars combine a dense graham cracker base with a velvety custard filling rich with brown sugar and chopped pecans. Sweet, but not overly so, each bar is like a perfect miniature pecan pie baked over a wonderfully crumbly graham cracker crust. Plan ahead and make an extra batch.

Paradise bars: Bread & Cie was happy to provide the recipe for its paradise bar, which combines pecans and coconut in a sweet topping that is baked over a rich shortbread-like crust. They’re sure to brighten any day, no matter where you are.

Boudin Bakery’s brownies: It may be most famous for its San Francisco sourdough, but Boudin Bakery puts out an equally mean brownie. Thick and almost fudge-like in consistency, it’s richly flavored with a slightly sweet finish. Arm yourself with a big glass of milk before delving into one of these winners. You can find the recipe below.

BOUDIN BAKERY BROWNIES

Total time: About 1 hour | Serves 24

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, plus extra for greasing the dish
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate
5 eggs
3 cups sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups (6.38 ounces) flour
2 1/2 cups toasted, chopped pecans or walnuts

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish.

2. In a medium, heavy-bottom saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. In a stand mixer using a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat together the eggs, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy, 5 to 7 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, beat in the melted chocolate, then the salt and flour just until combined. Gently fold in the nuts.

4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the center of the oven until puffed and almost set, about 45 minutes. A toothpick inserted will be slightly moist. Remove and cool slightly before serving.

Each serving: 336 calories; 4 grams protein; 38 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 21 grams fat; 8 grams saturated fat; 64 mg. cholesterol; 113 mg. sodium.

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