Every family does mealtime differently. All we know is food and family go together like PB and J. In Munchland, you show us how your family fills up their tummies.
- CITY: The Annex, Toronto, Ontario
- OUR BUNCH: Esther, 43, film and theatre program manager at the Miles Nadal JCC/actor. Andrew (Andy), author of the Governor General’s Award-nominated book, The Imaginary Garden/stay-at-home dad. Bella, 12, exceptional guitar player. Charlie, 5, sunny Star Wars fan.
The zany “Larseid” family (a mashup of the last names Larsen and Arbeid) are unabashed junk food lovers, so it’s fitting that their Munchland video would demonstrate how to make a supremely chocolatey, gooey treat inspired by a candy bar. The recipe comes from Bella and Charlie’s Aunt Patty a.k.a. Auntie Patty Cake, who is such a good baker everyone tells her she should open a store. The family also enjoys real, non-junk food, like pasta and chicken quesadillas. Their family mealtimes always involve candles and music. Everyone gets to take turns picking the dinner music, which means they listen to anything from Mozart to the Clash.
Some things we love about this video: 12-year-old Bella’s delightful baking songs and the deadpan delivery of said music, Esther’s Rachael-Ray-on-acid performance and that the Larseid’s invited their kids’ friends over to partake of the resulting snack. Bon appétit!
Aunti Patty’s Chocolate Skor Bars
Pre-heat oven to 350°. Grease a 13”x9” pan.
Prepare the crust:
¾ cup softened butter
¾ cup packed brown sugar
1 ½ cup all purpose-flour
Cream butter, sugar & flour until well blended (can be done in a blender). Press evenly into prepared pan. Bake 20 – 25 minutes or until lightly golden. Cool on wire rack while preparing filling.
Prepare the filling:
1×10 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
2 tbsp butter
1 ¾ cup semisweet or regular chocolate chips
1 1/3 cup toffee bits (Skor toffee bits)
Heat sweetened condensed milk and butter in a heavy saucepan, stirring constantly over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes until thickened.
Spread over baked base. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over top. Bake 2 minutes until chocolate is shiny. Remove from oven. Spread the hot shiny chocolate chips with a butter knife. Let children lick off the butter knife.
Sprinkle toffee bits on top. Press lightly into chocolate with your fingers. Cool completely at room temperature. Cut into squares. Store at room temperature.
