Split Level Cookie Bars

Submitted by Bev erly

"Simple recipe for a great tasting bar cookie. This recipe came from a woman in my neighborhood who has been making these bar cookies for many years."

 

• Ready In: 40mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 16

ingredients

• First layer Crust

• 1 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup white sugar
• 1⁄2 cup margarine
• 1 egg (beaten)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon almond extract

• Filling

• 1 cup chocolate chips (may substitute peanut butter or butterscotch chips)
• 3 ounces cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1⁄3 cup evaporated milk
• 1⁄4 teaspoon almond extract
• 1⁄2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

directions

1. Prepare crust by cutting margarine into flour, baking powder, salt and sugar until crumbly. Add beaten egg and extract. Take out approximately 1/4 cup crumb mixture and set aside for topping.
2. Press remaining crumbs into a lightly greased 8 inch square pan.
3. Combine second layer ingredients except for extract and nuts in saucepan and melt until smooth. Add nuts and extract. Spread filling over cookie base and spread remaining 1/4 cup of crumb mixture on top.
4. Bake at 375 oven for 25 minutes. Cool. Cut in bars.
5. Flavor is greatly improved if allowed to sit for a day. Store in sealed container.

Reviews

[prvrbs31gal]

I had these last night for the first time, and they were awesome. So the first thing I did when I woke up this morning was see if I could find the recipe! So glad I did! The gal who made them got the recipe from a 1960s cookbook. She used vanilla extract instead of the almond, but man, were they delicious. And I'm thrilled that I can make them myself now that I have the recipe! ETA: I made them tonight and used 1/4 butter and 1/2 cup peanut butter in the crust. Oh.My.Word! If you are a chocolate/peanut butter lover you MUST make that change!!!!

 

[ALB123]

I made these for my annual holiday cookie exchange and everyone loved them! They were a huge hit! I didn't tell anyone how easy they were to make.