Toffee Topped Bars - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 large egg
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350\u00b0F.
Lightly grease a 9 x 13\" baking pan; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar and flour.
Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Remove 1 cup of mixture and set aside.
To mixture in large bowl, add baking powder and salt.
Using a fork, lightly beat in vanilla, milk and egg.
Continue beating until a smooth batter forms.
Pour batter into prepared baking pan.
In a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and walnuts.
Fold in the coconut.
Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top of batter in pan.
Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and walnuts.
Using a long flat spatula, spread topping evenly over the top of the batter in pan.
Bake bars for 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean.
Transfer pan to wire rack.
Cool bars in pan completely before slicing.
Using a serrated knife, cut into 24 bars.
Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.