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It's time for some chocolate bars, or as some recipes say, bar cookies. As far as I'm concerned bars are bars, made in a rectangular or square pan. I suppose cookies could be made in a pan but bars should have sides on them. (Oh brother....doesn't have Alice have anything to write about besides bars/cookies and sizes of pans?) It's BARS today! I prefer making bars rather than making cookies as it takes less time to make a pan of bars than making cookies that have to be dropped on a cookie sheet or refrigerated, then sliced, or rolled into balls, then pressed with a glass or fork or twisted in some fashion

For those of you who like chocolate (some call themselves chocoholics), today's recipes are for you. There are many different flavorings or additions you can add or substitute to make brownies a special treat. Using a regular size brownie mix in a 9 x 9-in. baking pan, at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes following pkg. directions, adding ½ c. chopped nuts to ingredients. Follow directions for temperature and baking time. Each pan makes about 36 bars.

CHERRY BROWNIES

Add ¼ c. chopped and well drained maraschino cherries.

DATE BROWNIES

Add 1 c. chopped dates instead of nuts. Roll baked brownies, cut in squares, in powdered sugar.

DOUBLE FUDGE BROWNIES

Add 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips.

PEANUT BROWNIES

Omit nuts and add 3 T. chunk-style peanut butter.

MOCHA BROWNIES

Add 1-1/2 T. powdered instant coffee, stirring into dry mix.

CASHEW BROWNIES

Make fudgy brownies as directed on pkg.of brownie mix, only omit nuts from batter. Turn into baking pan. Before baking sprinkle ¼ c. coarsely chopped salted cashews over batter.

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SPICY CHOCOLATE CHIP BARS
1 c. butter or margarine, softened
2 eggs
1 c. packed brown sugar
1-1/2 c. flour
1 t. baking powder
½ t. each, baking soda and salt1
1 t. cinnamon
¼ t. cloves
½ c. chopped nuts
2 c. chocolate chips

In a large mixing bowl, combine butter and sugar, beating until fluffy. Beat in eggs. In a medium bowl, combine all dry ingredients, mixing well. Add to butter mixture mixing well. Stir in nuts and 1 ½ cups of chips. Turn into a greased 9 x 13-in. Baking pan. Sprinkle remainder of chips over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 28-31 minutes. Makes about 48 bars.

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CHEWY CHOCOLATE SQUARES
1 c. flour
¼ c. powdered sugar
½ c. butter
topping:
¼ c. sugar
1 egg
1-small pkg. (cook and serve) chocolate pudding and pie filling
½ t. baking powder
2/3 c. evaporated milk
1-2/3 c. flaked coconut
½ c. chopped pecans
½ c. raisins

Combine flour and powdered sugar din a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until crumbly. Using hands, mix until mixture comes together. Press mixture into ungreased 8 x 8-in. Square baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and place on wire rack.

Combine sugar and egg in medium bowl. With an electric beater on medium speed, beat until light and fluffy. Stir in pudding mix, baking powder and evaporated milk. Add coconut, pecans and raisins.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until set. Cool on wire rack. Makes about16 to 20 bars.

Thought for the Day: People want to know how much you care before they care how much you know.

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