A WIN-WIN: EASY TO MAKE BAR COOKIES WILL BE LOVED BY ALL

One pan treats are a favorite of mine because they require such a small amount of effort to mix and bake. These rich bars are particularly delicious.

Chocolate Chip-Pecan Blondies
Makes about 4 dozen
Prep: 15 min., Bake: 35 min.

Game Plan: Prepare Friday evening and cool completely. Cut bars Saturday morning so the edges don't dry out. Pack in an air-tight container if traveling or stack on a pretty platter.

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 lb. dark brown sugar
3 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 (11.5-oz.) package milk chocolate morsels (Ghirardelli)
1 cup bittersweet chocolate morsels (Ghirardelli)
1 (6-oz.) package pecan halves, toasted, cooled, and coarsely chopped

Cream butter and sugar with a heavy-duty electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, and mix until well blended. Add vanilla.

Combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture, all at once, and blend on low speed; add morsels and pecans, blending just until combined. (I add the morsels and pecans just before all of the flour mixture is completely incorporated to prevent over mixing the dough.)


Spread dough in a lightly greased 13 x 9-inch baking pan (Tip: pan=metal/ dish=glass).

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center holds a few moist crumbs. Do not overbake. (I baked mine for 35 minutes because I like a gooier bar.) Cool completely. Cut into squares.

The Extra Point: Having a few friends for supper? Cut bars into 15 squares, microwave a few seconds until warm, and top with a generous scoop of Haagen Dazs coffee or vanilla ice cream. Drizzle with Easy Chocolate Sauce.

Easy Chocolate Sauce: Microwave 1 cup bittersweet chocolate morsels and 3/4 cup heavy cream in a medium microwave-safe glass bowl on HIGH 1 1/2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Makes about 1 1/4 cups. Prep: 5 min.

Let me know how you like them!

Enjoy.