Chocolate Chip Nut Bars

Let me introduce you to your new favorite dessert. Not only will this be your favorite because it tastes so delicious, but its so easy to make and you probably already have all, if not most, of the ingredients in your pantry.

Am I the only one who does this? Before I recycle a magazine, I go through it and tear out the pages I think I'll want to keep. This helps in getting tons of magazines out of the house, but then I end up with a binder of pages that I will go through and eventually throw away. However, I found this gem of a recipe in that pile. It is from an issue of Kraft Food and Family years ago. The magazine uses this recipe as a perfect compliment to coffee, and oh please don't torture me, I'm sure it is absolutely divine with coffee. I have been accompanying these bars with a good old glass of milk and it is a delight. I'm sure a glass of red wine wouldn't be a bad partner either...

These are best when they are warmed so that the chocolate is melty and the cookie warm and sweet. They're not too bad room temp either. This is a quick dessert to throw together when you have company coming over. It's a great coffee time treat!

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups flour
1/8 tsp salt
6 oz. (or a little more!) semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks

1 cup chopped nuts (pecans are specified, I used walnuts and they are terrific; hazelnuts would be divine - just about any nut will do)

Preheat oven to 350. Beat butter, sugar and vanilla with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.

Mix flour and salt in a separate bowl. Add to butter mixture, mix well. Stir in chocolate and nuts. Press mixture into an ungreased 9x13 inch baking pan.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 5 minutes. Cut into bars while still warm.

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Aisle Twelve

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