Stars and Strips Bars
(from Lucianolinda’s recipe box)
Source: Backyard Living- Jenette Pederson, Monico, Wisconsin
Categories: Cookie Bars- Brownies
Ingredients
- 2 pkg. (10 to 12 oz. each) vanilla or white chips
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 7 cups crisp rice cereal
- 1 cup salted peanuts
- 2 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. water
- 4 1/2 tsp. meringue powder
- 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
- Red and Blue food coloring
- Red White and blue sprinkles
Directions
- In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine the vanilla chips and peanut butter. Microwave, uncovered, at 50% power for 2-4 minutes or until melted; stir until smooth. Stir in cereal and peanuts. Press into greased 13×9×2-inch pan. Let stand at room temperature until firm, about 30 minutes.
- Divide the pans of bars in half. On one half, cut out stars using a greased 2 1/2-inch star-shaped cookie cutter. Cut remaining half into 3 1/4×1 1/4-inch bars for flags
- In a small bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, water, meringue powder and cream of tartar; beat on low speed just until combined. Beat on high speed for 4-5 minutes or until stiff peaks form. Divide frosting among three bowls. Tint one red, one blue, and leave the remaining frosting white.
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Decorate cutouts with frosting and sprinkles.
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makes 1 1/2 dozen