(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!

Have a great weekend and make some Balboa bars too!