A Fireside Morning & Delicious Mud Hen Bars

 

I'm relaxing by the fire this morning as I wake up with my coffee and favorite sweater-blanket.

 

 

I'm finishing up Faith's wedding post to show you a few pictures and share a bit about the experience!

 

 

Somehow I woke up and got out of bed 6:00 this morning for no reason other than to spend a couple of minutes sitting on the couch with my hubby while he was reviewing his patients on the computer before work.  He usually leaves so early that I never see him, but since I woke up I wanted to join him in the dark den just to snuggle a minute and tell him good bye for the day.  He turned on the fire for me and left me in my cozy home. 

 

I thank God that he has a job--a good one--and that I can stay home.  This is a HUGE blessing for me! I love feathering our nest and keeping house!  My stress level is way down compared to when I worked.  :)  Being a homemaker may seem like a strange thing for a modern woman to want, but for me it's a dream come true!

 

(Yes, I've found a new mantle/surround for our brick fireplace!  You remember, the last one fell off the wall?? Ha.  Well, last week we found this antique one...I'll have to show you more later!!)

 

I have more time to cook and bake now, hence these unbelievable bars!!! (I've shared these at Inspired By Family, and I wanted to put the recipe up at The Cozy Little Kitchen, too.) The pictures speak for themselves.  Mud Hen Bars are a new favorite of my family!  They are gooey and filled with chocolate chips, pecans and marshmallows on a cookie crust. What sets them apart is the brown sugar merigue top that's crisp and delicious! 

 

With a platter of these, I'll be ready for any Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering!

  

 

Mud Hen Bars

 (Adapted from: Chef In Training)

1/2 c. Butter, room temp

1 c. Sugar

3 Eggs (1 whole and 2 separated)

1 1/2 c. All-Purpose Flour

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/4 tsp. Salt

1 c. Nuts, chopped (I used pecans)

1/2 c. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

1 c. Marshmallows

1 c. Brown Sugar (I used dark)

 

 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Beat together sugar and butter until creamy.  Beat in one whole egg and two egg yolks.  (Put aside the whites for later.)  In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt.  Add to the butter mixture and mix well. 

 

 

 Spread into a 9x13 baking pan.

 

 

 Sprinkle evenly with marshmallows, nuts and chocolate chips.

 

 Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.  Gently fold in brown sugar.  Spread the mixture in the pan over the top.

 

 

 

 Bake for about 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the crust is cooked through.  I used a dark baking pan and took mine out after 25 minutes.  They were just right!

 

 

 Allow to cool (as long as you can stand to keep your fork out!) and cut into squares.

Yields 12-15 bars

 

 

 Share and enjoy!

 

 

 

I'm excited to link up with friends at: