Binder Recipe #5

Toffee-Topped Bars

 

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine, softened

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 cup unsweetened flaked coconut (optional)

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan; set aside

 

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 mixture in large bowl, 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 prepared baking pan.

 

In a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and walnuts.  Fold in the coconut.

 

Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top of batter in pan.  Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and walnuts.

 

Using a long flat spatula, spread topping evenly over the top of the batter in pan.

 

Bake bars for 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean.

 

Transfer pan to a wire rack.  Cool bars in pan completely before slicing.

 

Using a serrated knife, cut into 24 bars. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.

Personal Notes:  I didn't add the coconut, because we were taking these on our mini-vacation and sharing with family; and coconut isn't a favorite amongst them.  From what I could deduce, the point of using the spatula was to press the nuts and chips into the batter somewhat.

Verdict:  Discard.  For one thing, I found the instructions somewhat confusing.  I'm not sure what you're supposed to fold the coconut into (the chocolate chips and nuts!?!), so it's a good thing we didn't use them.  For another, the spatula directions were strange to me as well.  If these were some phenomenally delicious treat, then maybe I could overlook the annoying directions.  The batter turned out cake-ier than I thought it would, and while the flavor wasn't bad, I was looking for something more dense and bar-like.  And, possibly because I turned the oven heat down a bit to compensate for my oven which cooks hot, my topping didn't melt and caramelize the way I think it was supposed to.  I wouldn't say these aren't tasty, but they aren't something I'm planning to ever make again.  So I will not be keeping the recipe.