Celestial Bars

For some reason I didn't have high expectations for these bars (another one my daughter made from Taste of Home Baking Book), but after one bite I realized that these were inappropriately named. These nutty flavored bars with the perfectly luscious creamy frosting on top shouldn't be called "Celestial Bars", rather they should be called "The Evil Just Try to Eat Only One Bars". They'd be great to bring to a party, but I'm not letting Cami make them for our family again. Evil bars.



The ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 cups flour (I used part whole-wheat)
1/2 tsp. salt
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans
2 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

ICING:
1/2 cup butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
3-4 Tbs. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

GLAZE:
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tsp. shortening

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add extracts; beat well. Combine flour and salt; add to creamed mixture. Stir in pecans (batter will be thick). Divide batter in half; stir chocolate into one portion. Alternately spoon plain and chocolate batters into a greased 13x9x2" baking pan. swirl with knife.

Bake at 350° for 16-20 minutes or until done. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For icing, in a large mixing bowl, cream butter and powdered sugar. Add milk and vanill; beat until smooth. Spread over bars.

For glaze, melt chocolate chips and shortening in a heavy saucepan or microwave; stir until smooth. Drizzle over bars. Let stand until chocolate is completely set before eating. Makes 24 servings.

Enjoy!