Sweet-in-Between Graham Cracker Bars

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

1. Milk + vanillatop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together19,187 recipes

   Shared aroma: ethyl caproate (fruity, apple peel).

2. Chocolate + vanillatop 5% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together10,020 recipes

   Shared aroma: sotolon (curry, maple).

3. Butter + milktop 7% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together81,283 recipes

   Shared aroma: (z)-4-heptenal (biscuit, cream).

4. Sugar + vanillatop 8% of all pairs
   Smell alikelow
   Cooked together35,032 recipes

   Shared aroma: beta-damascenone (apple, rose).

5. Sugar + chocolatetop 13% of all pairs
   Smell alikemoderate
   Cooked together15,404 recipes

   Shared aroma: guaiacol (smoky, sweet).

Sugar and vanilla barely smell alike, yet cooks put them together in 35,032 recipes: they work on texture and structure more than aroma.

Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs

What each ingredient does

Graham cracker crumbs

Form the body of the filling and help it set into a firm, sliceable layer.

Butter

Adds richness and fat to the filling and gives the frosting a smooth, creamy texture.

Brown sugar

Adds moisture and caramel-like flavor, and helps the filling thicken as it boils.

Milk

Adds moisture to the filling and helps it thicken when boiled with the sugars.

Chocolate chips

Melt into the hot filling as it sits, adding chocolate flavor and a fudgy layer.

Powdered sugar

Dissolves into the melted butter to form a smooth, sweet frosting that sets as it chills.

The step that matters