The Malambris have been married for 52 years. How about an encore, Sam and Joan?
The couple that bakes together…stays together! Just ask Joan and Sam Malambri of Inverness, Illinois, who will soon be celebrating their 52nd anniversary. The two met as teenagers in a Chicago ice cream parlor called Iceland. They were married the day after Valentine’s Day, 1958.
“We celebrated our 50th anniversary with 75 of our closest friends in our home,” recalls Joan. “We put on a large buffet of all homemade food.”
Lots of laughter and a mutual love of cooking have helped Joan and Sam keep their Cupid connection through the years. One of their favorite treats to make for family and friends is a batch of scrumptious Encore Chewies. “My grandmother and mother taught me to bake,” says Joan. “People who have tried these bars keep asking for more, which is how we came up with the name.”
Looking for another sweet treat to bake for your Valentine this year? Be sure to check out Joan and Sam’s Strawberry Bread recipe in the Penzeys Winter 2010 catalog.
If you make these once, expect to be asked for a repeat performance.
Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, CINNAMON, flour and sugar. Blend until the flour is incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Spread evenly in a greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350° until lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside while you make the topping.
For the topping, combine the brown sugar, eggs, flour, VANILLA and baking powder in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly. Fold in the raisins and nuts. Spread evenly over the crust and return to the oven. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes until the topping is firm when lightly tapped. They will still be on the gooey side when cool. Cool completely before cutting into squares.
Nutritional Information: Servings 24;
Serving Size 1 chewie (68g); Calories 270; Calories from fat 100; Total fat 12g; Cholesterol 50mg; Sodium 90mg; Carbohydrate 39g; Dietary Fiber 1g.
