Chewy Chocolate Chip-nut Bars

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter, softened (or use half butter and half margarine)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar, divided
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon maple extract
• 2 egg yolks
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional or to taste)
• 2 egg whites, room temperature
• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup chopped walnuts (can use more or less) or 1 cup pecans (can use more or less)

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• 3 in a bowl cream together butter with sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes).
• 4 add in water, maple extract and 2 egg yolks (reserve the whites in another bowl) beat for 2-3 minutes.
• 5 mix together the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder and cinnamon (if using) then add to the creamed mixture; mix until combined.
• 6 spread the batter into the prepared baking dish.
• 7 sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the batter.
• 8 beat the egg whites until soft peaks form, then add in in 1/2 cup brown sugar; blend well.
• 9 spread the egg mixture over the top of the chocolate chips.
• 10 sprinkle the top with chopped nuts.
• 11 bake for about 35 minutes or until the meringue is light brown.
• 12 cut the bars while still hot.