BARS - CHOCOLATE CRUMB BARS

Makes 30 bars or 24-2x2 inch bars

 

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

 

Beat butter in a large mixing bowl until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar and salt until crumbly. With floured fingers, press 2 cups crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan; reserve remaining mixture. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

 

Combine 1½ cups morsels and sweetened condensed milk in a small, heavy-duty saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract. Spread over hot crust.

 

 Stir nuts and remaining morsels into reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over chocolate filling. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack.