I set this blog up to post recipes from my family's cookbook, created by my sister Tammy with contributors from my immediate family, our relatives (cousins and aunts) and our friends.

But over the weekend, I decided to try the recipe for Ooey-Gooey Turtle Bars. I found it on Pillsbury.com and the picture of the finished Turtle Bars looked fantastic. And they were delicious. The recipe follows, along with credit to Gretchen Wanek of Oshkosh, WI who submitted this for Bake-Off contest 43, 2008!

Now that the credit and details are out of the way, let me explain why my choice of dessert is important. LOL

I'm not much of a cook. Most of my sisters are. At holidays, we do a smorgasbord. Everybody brings a dish or two. I typically take a salad and a dessert. But imagine...Here I am, sort of unable to cook and my food competes with women who are pros! My mother makes homemade rolls that melt in your mouth and bakes a ham (and sometimes a turkey) for sandwiches. My brother Brian typically makes a huge roast beef (that also melts in your mouth) to be served on my mother's rolls, with delicious gravy.

My sister Helen makes a pasta salad that would make you weep and thank your maker. Tammy is a cake and cookie baker who always comes up with something to die for. My sister Laura is the potato casserole expert. Now, add another six or eight women who all come with an extraordinary dish or two and you understand my dilemma.

Believe me, it's not easy. I've tried bringing Kentucky Fried Chicken and Dunkin Donuts (two of my personal favorite foods) and even they can't compete.

So, I'm always scouring for a recipe that will be good enough to serve alongside my sisters. When I found these cookie bars, I knew I had to try them. And they were a HUGE success. My niece Amy even thought sister Tammy had made them. That's about as good as a compliment gets when it comes to cookies at one of our holidays.

The cookie bars were easy to make and tasted wonderful. So I thank Gretchen Wanek for being so smart and for sharing her recipe and encourage you to go to Pillsbury.com. I've found several wonderful recipes there!

susan