Mud Hen Bars-a cookie crust layered with pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows then topped with a brown sugar meringue!
So, our small town had some excitement the other day. I woke up to the sound of a helicopter flying around. Flying low. We don’t live near any airports. The only reason for a helicopter in our area is the police are looking for someone. It was 6 am. The girls are getting ready to head for school. I want to make sure it’s safe. Of course, I start checking facebook. I see lots of comments asking about the copters but no answers.
As I drive Grace to the Middle School, I see police cars lining the streets. (We live about a mile from the school.) The helicopter is hovering low close by. Something is definitely happening. We pull up to the school and the assistant principal is out front, answering questions, making sure the children go straight inside. I learned from him that the Waffle House had been robbed earlier in the morning, the suspect had fled on foot and was in the woods near the schools.
I have to tell you, I never felt safer dropping my child off at school. It was on lockdown-Code Red-the only door open was that front door. As I drove away, I saw teachers stationed outside the building, guarding the other locked entrances, presumably to report on any suspicious activity near the school. I counted 8 police cars, including the chief of police, on my drive back home.
Not even an hour later, the police announced they had the suspect in custody. Our little town is safe again. In later updates, it was reported that this suspect was also connected to 3 other armed robberies earlier that morning.
I’m proud of our police department, for how they handled the situation. For their presence in and about our town, every time I go out. I’m thankful those officers choose to put their lives on the line every day and that they protect our lives and property with professionalism and courtesy.
I mention all this because too often on the news, we only hear the bad about law enforcement. Sensationalized, meant to get a reaction. I’m not here to make any political statement but to remind us all, there are good stories out there too. There were a total of six law enforcement agencies involved in apprehending this suspect (plus a fantastic School Safety Plan), peacefully, without insult or injury to anyone.
The least I could do was show my appreciation by baking up a treat for them. Flipping through my recipe box, I knew these Mud Hen Bars would be perfect. How can you go wrong with pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows?
Top it all off with a brown sugar meringue (take your time folding the sugar into your egg whites, you want to maintain the fluffiness) I find it easiest to just drop by teaspoonfuls on top instead of spreading.
Another great tip when slicing sticky bars. Spray a paper towel with cooking spray then wipe both sides of the knife blade with it after each cut. When you do start to have crumbs stick to the knife, take the time to wash and dry and you’ll always have perfect cuts.
I waited until the next day to deliver these bars to the police department. I wanted to make sure all the officers involved would be back on duty.
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Mud Hen Bars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs, separated
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped pecans (can use walnuts)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup miniature marshmallows
- 1 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Grease a 9x13 baking pan or line with parchment paper, greasing any exposed areas of the pan.
- Beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and beat until blended.
- Combine flour, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture, just until blended. Mixture will be crumbly. Press crust into the bottom of prepared pan.
- layer chopped pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows on top of crust.
- In a medium bowl (I use a large batter bowl) Beat egg whites on high speed until stiff peaks form with a hand mixer. Gently fold in brown sugar until combined. Spoon meringue on top marshmallows using a teaspoon, covering as much area as possible.
- Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 28-33 minutes, until meringue is cooked and a golden brown.
- Let bars cool completely before cutting. Store in an airtight container.
Now I need to make some treats for the school staff!
Here are more treats that travel well
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Bars
Peach Pull Apart Bread from Recipes, Food and Cooking
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars from Two Peas and Thier Pod
Coconut Caramel Cookie Bars from Cravings of a Lunatic
Tracey A says
Thank you, Joan, for the recipe and the special words about the law enforcement. My hubby has been a police officer for over 35 years and I can say it never has been a worse time. The lack of respect for a difficult job already, but through the extra conflict, media exposure, adds insult to injury. I know not all instances are of good nature, but what they have to encounter on a daily basis would totally blow your mind.
Think I will make these for the station as well!
XXX
Joan Hayes says
You’re very welcome, Tracey! My hat’s off to your husband, such a hard and scary job! I hope you enjoy making the bars!
Ruby Nelson says
The cookies sound wonderful-and yes, we should all be thankful for the brave men and women that choose to become law enforcement officers. We all should be proud of their service, just as we are with those in the military serving here and overseas. I live about 2 blocks from a hospital and the local police department. Unfortunately, there is constant activity with sirens and police cars answering the calls. I say a prayer for those who are responding each time. Thanks for the good recipes and words.
Joan Hayes says
Thank you Ruby, I hope you like them! And I couldn’t agree more!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting says
I am sure your local officers appreciated such a kind jester. It is great to know that your school had such precautions taken, I imagine it was quite a scary situation!
Joan Hayes says
Yes, it was a relief to know we were in good hands – our law enforcement is on top of things! 🙂
sylvia says
You are such a kind and considerate person, bet the police force appreciated these! Thank you for taking time to thank those that serve us so well
Joan Hayes says
Thank you Sylvia, it was the least I could do! 🙂
Jennifer | Bake or Break says
Looks like these bars are made with every flavor I adore! I’m sure they were greatly appreciated and quickly devoured!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Joan, I love this post and LOVE that you baked these Mud Hen Bars for your local police department! I agree! too often, the news we hear about law enforcement is often negative . . which is discouraging for those who work so hard to keep our communities safe! glad to hear that the suspect was caught and all the children safe!!!!
Joan Hayes says
Thank you Alice, it really was the least I could do! I think that was enough small town excitement for a good while! 🙂
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
That’s so scary! I’m glad the school was safe. And just hand me the entire tray of these!
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Dorothy, and I hope you enjoy the bars!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life says
Yikes! What a way to start out the school day! But I agree there are not enough stories shared about how much good our police officers do! I love that you baked your local office treats to show your appreciation. I’m sure they loved that!!!
Joan Hayes says
Thank you Jocelyn, it’s such a small thing to do (I should do it more often)! Hope you enjoy the bars!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
omigosh how nerve-wracking! that’s great that the police were so on top of it, though!
and I have never used pecans in mud hen bars before and now I’m regretting that-looks sooo tasty!
Joan Hayes says
Me too Kayle! And I hope you enjoy the bars! 🙂
Andie @ The Well Bread Baker says
Oh wow, how scary! But these bars look amazing… I know what’s next on my “to-bake” list now 🙂
Joan Hayes says
Thank you Andie, I hope you enjoy them!
Brenda says
I too appreciated you sharing this story, you treating the police 🙂 & telling us about Mud Hen Bars. I have never heard of them before. I enjoy the thought of trying something yummy and new. My I always think of this generous story, safe, secure, and genuine appreciation when they are enjoyed.
Joan Hayes says
Thank you Brenda, I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! 🙂
Raquel says
Love the brown sugar meringue on top ! Hope you are doing well Joan! Pinning this!
Joan Hayes says
Thank you Raquel, I hope you enjoy the bars!
Kaye Dykes Duke in Birmingham, AL. says
Joan, I lived in Valdosta, GA. as I was growing up and we learned manners and Christian values…I went to school at Georgia Christian School. I know sometimes Christians get a bad name these days but I think we need to have a Christian running our Country again. We need prayer back in our schools again and stop letting Congress take what values we have left away from us. When you wrote your girls said yes ma’mam and no sir I was so proud of them and you. You are raising them right. Thank you for all the GREAT recipes and for bringing Georgia back into my home in Alabama.
Stephanie | Worth Whisking says
Joan, these bars look amazing! I am from Toledo, Ohio originally, home of the Toledo Mud Hens baseball team, and I have to say that I’ve never heard of Mud Hen Bars! I feel like I’ve totally been missing out! A must-try! Thanks for the recipe!
Joan Hayes says
Thank you Stephanie, and very cool about the Toledo Mud Hens! Definitely give these a try, I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
kimberly says
Thanks for sharing this recipe with us. It sounds really wonderful and as you said, we should be proud with the service they provide us. I have tried a similar recipe for my hubby with extra dark chocolates from Giddy Yoyo( https://www.giddyyoyo.com/ ) in Canada. Your recipe sounds really great and I would definitely want to try this soon. Also, keep sharing recipes like this, waiting for more from you.
Joan Hayes says
Thanks Kimberly, I hope you and your husband enjoy these!