Grandma’s Chocolate Chip Bars

Name: Grandma's Chocolate Chip Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup shortening; 1/2 cup sugar; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 3 egg yolks; 1 tablespoon water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips; TOPPING:; 3 egg whites; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup chopped walnuts

My grandmother made these delicious bar cookies with a unique meringue topping for every holiday and birthday gathering. She's now gone, but her wonderful recipe lives on.

Ingredients

1 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
3 egg yolks
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
TOPPING:
3 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks, water and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips.
Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until top is dry.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat egg whites, vanilla and salt on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in brown sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time on high until stiff peaks form.
Spread over warm crust to within 1 in. of edges. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 each: 231 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 105mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

Originally published as Grandma's Chocolate Chip Bars in Holiday & Celebrations Cookbook 2007

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gaylene2

May 22, 2014

These were good, but make sure you don't over-bake. I didn't need the full 25 minutes on the second baking. The meringue is kind of a fun touch to make this unique.