(Build Your Own) Candied Up Balboa Bars.

Deciding on a name for these was the hardest thing ever.

They are just so good and I am just so excited about them that I had not a clue how to convey the deliciousness in just one name.

Welcome to the problems of my brain. Life’s probably pretty good if these are my problems, huh?

Anyway, the bottom line is that these bars are definitely the type of bar I wish I got to eat growing up!

I do not really eat any candy now, but for some reason I had a burning desire to basically make the trashiest, candy-loaded ice cream bar out there.

Granted, the candy is only on the outside of the bar, so you can choose how naughty you would like to make them, but I wanted the inside of these bar to be a traditional creamy Balboa bar….

Well, I was going for traditional until I added the swirl of fudge sauce to the ice cream. Again, I just couldn’t help myself.

For me summer is all about living every day like you are a kid again, and with these bars I just had way, way too much fun!

For those of you wondering what a Balboa bar is, it is just a vanilla ice cream bar that has been dipped in a chocolate shell before eating. It’s then either rolled in sprinkles, chopped toffee or chopped peanuts. The most common are sprinkles I think.

So simple, yet so delicious.

From what I read, Balboa bars were originally created in Laguna Beach, California.

Makes sense, these bars are totally a bar for the beach or the board walk.

As you know, I live nowhere near any beaches – nor any board walks, so the long summer mountain grass had to do for Asher, her two little friends and I.

Or really just for me, the girls were way more interested in running around than trying to help me.

You would think that the promise of an ice cream bar would really motivate them to help me. Nope, they must have known that no matter what they were all going to get one…. and probably some candy too.

Spoiled? Ah yeah.

I guess I got a few photos, so I was happy too. I really couldn’t blame them.

All they kept saying was, “can we just eat them already, they looks soo good”.

I think it was a little torturous for them, but I promise it did not last long. Then they got their bars and left me with the mess.

Typical.

Ok, but let’s just talk about how fun these bars really are.

There are so many different combos of toppings that you can coat the bars in. And these bars would make for the perfect party desserts. You could have a “Build your own Balboa Bars” station. Just set out all the toppings and a big bowl of the chocolate shell for dipping. Then let everyone dip in the chocolate and then sprinkle on their favorite candies.

It is so perfect.

Especially for the 4th of July, which is exactly a week from today! So really, these are a must make if you are hosting a 4th of July party this year, or really any summer party. So fun!

My favorite combo was Reese’s Pieces + chopped Mini Reese’s. Peanut butter + chocolate lover all the way!!

Other favorite combos:

Chopped Snickers + Chopped Toffee + Chopped Peanuts

Kit Kat’s + Mini M&M’s

The Everything Bar: Snickers, Reese, Reese’s pieces, peanuts, toffee, sprinkles, Butterfingers, Whoppers, mini M&M’s & Oreos

Sprinkles

Sprinkles + Peanuts

Crushed Oreo’s

Chocolate Chip Cookie Crumbs + Crumbles Cookie Dough (YUM!)

The Combos are endless, and it is so fun to let everyone build their own. I do have to advise you though, you might want to make a double batch. These bars were devoured at lightning speed. Even the leftover bar in the freezer was scarfed down faster than Lightning McQueen himself could have!

Told you, fast!

Every Kids Dream LOADED Balboa Bars…the best around.

4.50 from 2 votes

10 Bars

by Tieghan Gerard

calories 583kcal

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Prep20 minutes mins

Cook10 minutes mins

Freeze4 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Total6 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Granted, the candy is only on the outside of the bar, so you can choose how naughty you would like to make them, but I wanted the inside of these bar to be a traditional creamy Balboa bar....

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Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1.75 quarts vanilla bean ice cream
• ▢ 1/2 cup of [your favorite hot fudge sauce | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/hot-fudge-chocolate-chip-cookie-cookie-dough-ice-cream-sandwich/], slightly warm
• ▢ 20 ounces good quality milk or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• ▢ 4 tablespoons coconut oil

Toppings!!

• ▢ crushed Oreos
• ▢ crushed Butterfingers
• ▢ finely chopped Snickers
• ▢ M mini &M's
• ▢ Reese's or Reese's mini's, both chopped
• ▢ pieces Reese's
• ▢ bite size or regular Kit Kat bars, both chopped
• ▢ crushed Whoppers, Chocolate Malt Balls
• ▢ chopped peanuts
• ▢ toffee bits
• ▢ SPRINKLES!
• ▢ [Crumbled Chocolate Chip Cookies | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/peanut-butter-stuffed-chocolate-covered-pretzel-cookies-n-cream/], homemade or store bought
• ▢ cups [Crumbled Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough | https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/giant-chocolate-chip-cookie-cookie-dough-peanut-butter-/], homemade or store bought

Instructions 

• Allow the ice cream to sit on on the counter 10-15 minutes, but no longer or you will get ice crystals in your bars.
• Line a 9x13 inch baking dish with plastic wrap allowing the plastic wrap to hang over the sides of the baking dish. Drizzle the bottom of the baking dish with a little fudge sauce and then add half the the softened ice cream in dollops. Drizzle on another layer of fudge sauce and then add the remaining softened ice cream. Use your hands or the back of a spoon to press the ice cream evenly into the pan. If you have any fudge sauce left drizzle it over the ice cream. Don't worry if the fudge sauce and ice cream mix a little, it is no big deal.
• Fold the overhang plastic wrap over the ice cream. Cover the pan tightly with additional plastic wrap. Place in the freezer for 2 hours or up to overnight to harden the ice cream. I found it was easiest cutting the bars after they sat in the freezer over night.
• Once the bars are completely frozen line a rimmed baking sheet with plastic wrap or parchment paper (I used plastic wrap).
• Remove the pan from the freezer and peel the plastic wrap off the top of the bars. Use a sharp knife to cut the ice cream into 10 rectangles (5 on the bottom half and 5 on the top half). Now, using the plastic wrap overhang, lift the entire slab of ice cream out of the pan. Use a metal spatula to separate the squares and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Insert a Popsicle stick halfway into one side of each square. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap and return to the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight.
• 20 minutes before you are ready to dip you bars make the chocolate coating. Combine chopped chocolate and coconut oil in a medium sauce pan over medium heat. Stir frequently until chocolate is almost melted. Remove from heat and stir until completely melted and smooth. Allow to cool 15-20 minutes before dipping the bars.
• Meanwhile prepare your toppings by placing the chopped candies and sprinkles on plates or bowls. I find shallow bowls work best for this.
• When you are ready to dip the bars remove one bar at time from the freezer (or at least one bar per person if you are doing this as a "build or own bar" thing). Working quickly, hold the bar by the popsicle stick and dip it into the chocolate until the ice cream is completely covered. Let any excess chocolate drip back into the bowl. Quickly sprinkle on your desired toppings. You have to do this immediately or the chocolate will harden and the toppings will not stick. Eat right away or return the balboa bar to the baking sheet and place in the freezer. Continue dipping the remaining bars.
• Store the bars wrapped in plastic wrap in the freezer until they have all been eaten, which most likely will not take long.

Nutrition

Calories: 583kcal | Carbohydrates: 99g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 55g | Saturated Fat: 33g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 200mg | Potassium: 766mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 77g | Vitamin A: 765IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 270mg | Iron: 4.6mg

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Have a great weekend and make some Balboa bars too!