Chocolate Chocolate and More!

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Mud Hen Bars

Mud Hen Bars-a cookie crust layered with pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows then topped with a brown sugar meringue!

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.

Mud Hen Bars-a cookie crust layered with pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows then topped with a brown sugar meringue!

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.

Mud Hen Bars-a cookie crust layered with pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows then topped with a brown sugar meringue!

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?

Mud Hen Bars-delicious layers of 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.

Mud Hen Bars-a brown sugar meringue tops these delicious bars!

 

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.

Mud Hen Bars-wipe the knife with cooking spray to avoid sticking

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

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

  1. Grease a 9x13 baking pan or line with parchment paper, greasing any exposed areas of the pan.
  2. Beat butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks and beat until blended.
  3. 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.
  4. layer chopped pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows on top of crust.
  5. 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.
  6. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 28-33 minutes, until meringue is cooked and a golden brown.
  7. Let bars cool completely before cutting. Store in an airtight container.
Mud Hen Bars-a cookie crust layered with pecans, chocolate chips and marshmallows then topped with a brown sugar meringue!

Now I need to make some treats for the school staff!

Here are more treats that travel well

Lunch Lady Brownies-gotta love that frosting!

Lunch lady Brownies

Pecan Praline Blondies-these bars are full of rich vanilla flavor and lots of pecans!

Pecan Praline Blondies

Triple-Chocolate-Cheesecake-Bars-chocolatechocolateandmore-side-wide-52a

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Apple Cake, also known as an Apple Kuchen, simple vanilla cake, topped with sliced apples and a cinnamon sugar mixture makes a great presentation for any occasion!

Apple Cake

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

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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

  2. 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.

  4. 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

  6. 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!!!!

  8. 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!!!

  11. 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.

  13. 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.

  14. 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!

  15. 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( http://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.