Bars vs. Brownies, or Pan Cookies?

What do you call that?

It’s made in a pan and cut into rectangular squares, but I tell you, it’s not a BROWNIE!

Ya’ll know I’m from MN, even though I just said ya’ll (blame my friend, April, for that), and in Minne-soh-tah we call things like that bars.

Jason tells me “Rice Krispies Treats” are not a rice krispies bars.  I must admit I say rice krispy bars.  I didn’t know you were to add the whole krispies in there until I just did my official research for this post!  And upon said research, I now have to admit that Kellogg’s calls them treats.

I’ll give him that.

But you can’t just call anything that’s from a pan and cut into rectangular squares a treat, can you?  Or a brownie?  Even Blondies have a different name, albeit I knew them first as plain-ole Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars.

I’ve even heard some people call any bar or brownie a pan-cookie.  I’m so confused!  Please edu-ma-cate me.  What do you call them?!

My friend, Gwen, recently posted this here image and recipe on her site, I Will Make Crafts.  She calls these enticing things Chocolate Revel Bars.

See.

Bars.

Although, she, too is from MN and we grew up in the same town so go figure.  These same bars, though, were called in my house (by my father who named them) – Goo Bars.  That’s what we call ‘em.  Goo Bars cuz they get all gooey and messy and drippy and yummy (when they are warm).  Check out Gwen’s recipe. THEY ARE SO GOOD.  Although, these things put me flat on my back since I’m allergic to most of the ingredients.  Hmm, anyone up for the challenge to make these bars (or brownies or pan-cookies, whatever you call them!) wheat free, dairy free, egg free and refined sugar free?  I’m thinking you could use buckwheat flour instead of wheat-flour, oats (those can stay the same), dark chocolate, almond milk and maple sugar, oh and egg-replacer?  If you are up for the challenge… let me know how you alter the recipe.  Or I’ll stop being lazy, give it a go and post it here later!

Gwen also has a great recipe for, and I quote, “The Best Lemon Bars Ever”.  Check it out.

But FIRST:

What do you call these rectangular bites of dessert baked in a pan?

Bars, Brownies or Pan Cookies?! (or something else?)
 

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1. 

   Shelly, the Prairie Chick says:

   August 26, 2011 at 1:25 pm

   Bars, of course! They are cut into little bar shapes. What else would you call them:)

   (And by the way…the Goo Bars are soooo good!)
2. 

   Gwen says:

   August 26, 2011 at 1:27 pm

   Great post, Makie! I’ve also see them called cookie bars. They aren’t cookies. Cookies don’t need to be cut after baking. These are bars (but then again, you already knew my vote!)
3. 

   Jen says:

   August 26, 2011 at 2:13 pm

   All I can say if thank goodness you didn’t consider Rice Crispy Hot Dish ya sure you betcha PS I vote for bars and I love your blog
4. 

   Makie says:

   August 26, 2011 at 2:32 pm

   Right on girls! Bars all the way! Ya sure you betcha
5. 

   Pam says:

   August 26, 2011 at 2:38 pm

   I call them sinful, irresistible, yummy….well you get the picture….they are bars….and no, I will not make them….I would eat the whole pan and gain back everything I’ve lost. Love, love, LOVE cookies, bars, etc in any shape or name!
6. 

   Amanda says:

   August 26, 2011 at 3:08 pm

   Not sure what your allergies are, but I have a friend who has created and family company selling all natural gluten free dessert bars that taste amazing!
   http://dreamdesserts.foodzie.com/

   I like them all cookies, bars, treats- anything sweet!
7. 

   Makie says:

   August 26, 2011 at 3:19 pm

   ooo, I just went to their site. Exciting! Gluten free is good for me! (Just thought I’d rhyme, but seriously…yes!) Thank you Amanda
8. 

   Breauna says:

   August 30, 2011 at 3:59 am

   Bars, but the debate between you and your husband reminds me of the one I have with mine except it’s between vacuum cleaner and vacuum sweeper. We still can’t agree.
9. 

   Jessi says:

   August 30, 2011 at 6:48 pm

   So we used to have those at girls camp in Alaska and we called them energy bars. Which is kind of deceiving because it makes them sound healthy somehow and while they probably do give you lots of energy we both know it’s just the GOBS OF SUGAR. Yummy yummy gobs of sugar. And chocolate, and coconut. I need to stop before I get drool on my desk.

   PS Though I do agree a rice krispy treat is not a bar I think it’s the exception to the rule.