Saturday, March 14, 2009

Chewy Chocolate Chip Bars

Thank you all for your kind words wishing me to get well. Unfortunately I'm still not 100% better, but hey...as long as I'm not nauseous and throwing up I'm good. I found this recipe again off Anna's website cookiemadness.net 

This didn't turn out like I had hoped it would, but I was also in a hurry because I was doing my friend's hair and makeup for a wedding she was in. I wanted to make a smaller batch in a 8 x 8 inch pan, so I halfed the recipe and tried it. Not everything got done, but after a setting up for an hour or so in the refrigerator they were great. 

The bottom is essentially a cookie crust with the chocolate in the middle layer, topped with a brown sugar meringue. I felt better after reading in some of the comments that other people had trouble making them as well. Eh...I've had my share of undercooked bars so I know all the tricks, but the refrigerator sets them up very nicely. 

The end result tastes like a chocolate pecan pie, but that probably isn't how they're supposed to taste. I put the original recipe here (not like I halfed it) so if you want to try and half it...good luck. 

On a sugary note, my cake decorating class is on Monday so you'll soon be seeing a pretty rainbow cake! I'm putting my sister Andrea's cake on here too for a compare and contrast, so I expect everyone of you to say that my cake looks better. :)


Ingredients:
2 sticks butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup brown sugar, divided use
1 tbsp. milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 egg yolks
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
2 egg whites 
2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13 inch pan with parchment paper. 
In a bowl, beat together butter, sugar, and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. Beat in milk, vanilla, and egg yolk--reserve white.
Sift together the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Stir into butter mixture. Press into baking pan. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of batter.
Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, then add remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar to whites and continue beating for another 30 seconds or so. If you add an extra egg white, use an additional 1/4 cup of brown sugar. Spread the egg white mixture over the chocolate chips. Sprinkle chopped pecans over top and bake for 28-30 min. or until edges are golden brown and pull away from side of the pan.
Let bars cool slightly, then lift from pan and score while still warm. Allow bars to cool completely or chill if desired. 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love anything gooey-licious.

Anonymous said...

I really love pecan pie so I know I would love these bars! Looking forward to the rainbow cake!

Elyse said...

I'm all about pecan pie, too! These bars look delicious just as they are. Gooey works for me. Hope you're starting to feel a bit better. I swear I'm going to write you an email soon!

Sara said...

I like the sound of the meringue. Can't wait to see the rainbow cake! I am not very talented in the cake decorating department.

Kerstin said...

The brown sugar meringue on top intrigues me. I somehow missed this one on Anna's blog - they look good! I hope you feel better soon!

The Purple Carrot said...

Your desserts always sound WAY too good!! haha. ; )

Andrea said...

Except that your sister is a loser and can't find the time to make her cake...much less decorate it... :(

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Mmm, such a classic, luscious treat!!

Can't wait to see the cake you make in class!!

Deborah said...

Even if they didn't turn out like you thought they would, they sound great to me!

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

These look like the beat. I want to make them.