Grandma’s Mud Hen Bars Recipe Is a Forgotten Classic—Here's Why You Should Try It

Grandma’s Mud Hen Bars Recipe Is a Forgotten Classic—Here's Why You Should Try It

from bhg.com
Dessert
40 min
24 servings
181 kcal / serving

Mud hen bars are made up of three layers: a blondie-style base layer, a middle layer made with chocolate chips, and a meringue topping. We couldn't get enough when we tested this recipe in the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen. Here's how to make mud hen bars.

Ingredients

  • nonstick cooking spray
  • 4eggs
  • ½ cupsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cupgranulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoonbaking powder
  • ½ tsp.salt
  • 1 ½ tsp.vanilla
  • 1 ½ cupsall-purpose flour
  • 1 cupbittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cupminiature marshmallows
  • ½ cupchopped pecans, toasted (optional)
  • 1 cuppacked brown sugar

Directions

  1. 1

    Prep Pan Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a 13x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray.

  2. 2

    Prep Eggs Separate two of the eggs, placing 2 egg whites in a clean medium bowl.

  3. 3

    Mix Ingredients In a large bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until fluffy. Beat in 2 whole eggs, the 2 egg yolks and 1 tsp. vanilla until smooth. Beat flour into butter mixture on low until just combined.

  4. 4

    Layer into Pan Transfer mixture to prepared pan and spread to an even layer. Top with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and pecans (if using)

  5. 5

    Make Topping Beat the remaining 2 egg whites on high until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes. Fold in brown sugar and remaining 1/2 tsp. vanilla until combined and there are no lumps. Spread on top of chocolate chip layer.

  6. 6

    Bake and Cool Bake 20 minutes or until top is golden brown. Let cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares