Toffee-Topped Bars

Before leaving Easter lunch at mom and dad's, mom handed me a stack of recipes.  She said, "here, since you're always looking for new recipes."  Yes, she knows me well.  

So, I give you the first recipe from the stack...

Toffee - Topped Bars

2 cups brown sugar (firmly packed)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 stick of butter, softened

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut (optional, I didn't use it)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar and flour.  Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.  Remove 1 cup of mixture and set aside.  To the mixture in the large blow, add baking powder and salt.  Using a fork, lightly beat in vanilla, milk and egg.  Continue beating until a smooth batter forms.  Pour batter into a lightly greased 13 x 9 inch baking pan.  

In a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and walnuts.  Fold in the coconut if you decide to use it.  Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top of batter in pan.  Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and walnuts evenly.

Bake bars for 35 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool bars in pan completely before slicing.

Enjoy!!