snackin’ cake: chocolate chip walnut squares

As a kid, I used to hate the word “snack”. I don’t know what it was, but it always made me scowl and cringe with embarassment. Maybe because everyone who said “snack” ended up sounding like a big ol’ whiner (“snnnaaaaaaaaaaaack”) that it totally drove me up the wall. But times change and pretty much everything about “snack” just seems right. It’s true that I love it for it’s by-gone day notions…somehow it conjures up family rec rooms and wood paneling and the colours avocado and orange. Snack time and snack break and even “Snackin’ Cake” (a commercial cake mix) totally makes me think of being a kid in the ’70s.

Earlier this week, I was on a snack mission. I wanted something sweet (but not overly so) and easy to make with no muss or fuss. This square is very similar to a brownie in texture, so I guess this is what could be termed a “blondie”? It’s dense and chewy and the edges got a bit crispy which is just how I like ’em. Cornelius couldn’t get enough of them! And for my snack quota? Totally fulfilled.

18 comments to “snackin’ cake: chocolate chip walnut squares”

  1. 1
    Joanne   July 19, 2007 at 7:30 pm

    Here’s to being a kid in the 70’s!!
    Shazam! Electra Woman and Dyna Girl! The Bionic Woman!
    This snack cake looks divine. Gotta have me some of that when I recover.

    p.s.
    I had a classic case of food poisoning yesterday from salmon
    I ate at a restaurant so I have been lying low.

  2. 2
    lobstersquad   July 20, 2007 at 3:39 am

    what is this? why have I never seen it before? talk about a sheltered life!!!! I must make this today or combust. thanks for opening my eyes

  3. 3
    Anonymous   July 21, 2007 at 8:16 am

    I saw the recipe for these and immediately knew that we had to have them for dessert tonight. I substituted almonds instead of walnuts because that was what we had, but they still came out great!

    – Jinger

  4. 4
    Bethany   July 21, 2007 at 10:11 am

    We call these Blondies, though I think I pack the sugar which makes them a bit sweeter and I usually sprinkle the choc chips on the top. They are the best. I almost always have every ingredient in the house.

    An extra level of decadence though, is to eat them with a good vanilla ice cream and even a little caramel and choc. syrup. Not a snack anymore but a very rich dessert.

  5. 5
    kickpleat   July 21, 2007 at 10:17 am

    joanne, recover quickly and make this immediately!

    lobstersquad, yes, make this! it’s so easy and tasty delicious!

    jinger, glad you tried this. almonds would be so good in this!

    bethany, i was afraid they’d be too sweet if i packed the sugar, so i just let it loose 🙂 eating these with vanilla ice cream would be dreamy! yum.

  6. 6
    Lydia   July 21, 2007 at 2:30 pm

    yummmmmmmm…but i still haven’t made your strawberry muffins, and i have a birthday cake to make! you and your appealing recipes. this will be printed out for future use.

  7. 7
    Kristen   July 22, 2007 at 6:55 pm

    Mmmmm! I love these. They look fantastic!

  8. 8
    kickpleat   July 22, 2007 at 8:55 pm

    lynda, print away! but start some baking for reals 🙂

    thanks kristen, these are pretty delicious!

  9. 9
    Patricia Scarpin   July 23, 2007 at 11:40 am

    I would love to snack on that right now – it looks so delicious!
    Cornelius is just so lucky. 🙂

  10. 10
    nehnehpok   July 24, 2007 at 10:15 am

    hi, i’ve been reading your blog for a long time and i’ve tried out a couple of the recipes and they always came out GREAT. 🙂 thanks for this lovely snack: my sister wandered out of the room, led by the smell, and my mother just took two (generous) squares for her midnight snack. thanks for sharing your recipes and the joy of cooking! 🙂

  11. 11
    furlinedteacup   July 24, 2007 at 1:15 pm

    Ooooh I think I am gong to bake these tonight. My boy loves chewy soft cookies; this may be right up his alley. I think I am going to sub some peanut butter chips for the walnuts though — he doesn’t like his snacks *too* healthy.
    ;p

  12. 12
    Lauren   July 25, 2007 at 11:57 am

    I made these last night, and followed the recipe pretty closely…well, except for the extra chocolate chips that I added!

    I think the next time I try it, I’ll try to work with a little less butter, since this was a little too heavy and rich for my taste. Overall though, I think that these are awesome.

  13. 13
    Jennifer   July 25, 2007 at 11:32 am

    I have made these twice in the last week, subbing pecans for the walnuts and sprinkling an extra 1/2 cup of choc chips on top. So good, especially while still warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. (They’ve been devoured, so I haven’t had a chance to try them day-after)

  14. 14
    Caroline   August 2, 2007 at 5:41 pm

    ooo blondies. yummy. Haven’t made these in ages.

  15. 15
    MargaretJ   November 20, 2007 at 4:50 am

    In the Maritimes, these are called Congo bars – no idea why…

  16. 16
    Anonymous   December 13, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    I want to know what happened to the Snackin’ Cake mixes. What company made them and are they available any longer?

  17. 17
    Anonymous   August 27, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    Who was the maker of "Snackin Cake" and why did they stop making it? My kids could make it all by themselves and they were really good. I think they need to make a reappearance.

  18. 18
    Anonymous   August 27, 2009 at 12:38 pm

    I loved Snackin Cakes. Does anyone remember who was the maker? And why did they stop making them? They were so simple my kids could make them by themselves and they were good! I think they need to make a reappearance. Does anyone else agree?

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