Gooey Layered Goodie Bars

Gooey Layered Goodie Bars

BaSE:
1¾ cups fl our
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
½ cup margarine
½ cup plus 2 tablespoons plain or
vanilla yogurt
(equivalent to 1 6-ounce container)
1 teaspoon vanilla

toPPing:
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon molasses
¼ cup milk
¾ cup nuts
(walnuts or pecans are best)
¾ cup chocolate chips
¾ cup dried fruit
cup dried coconut

Chopped dried apricots are wonderful inthese bars, as are banana chips!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8 x 8-inch pan with margarine or oil, or line it with parchment paper.

For Base: In a small bowl, combine fl our, baking powder and salt. In a medium bowl, cream together sugar and margarine until smooth. Add yogur t and vanilla to combine. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in batches until incorporated. Press mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.

For Topping: In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, molasses and milk until well-mixed. Stir in nuts and chocolate chips until combined. Spread mixture over bar base.

Bake for 30 minutes, sprinkle coconut on top and bake for an additional 5 to 8 minutes until edges are set and coconut is slightly browned. Let bars cool in the pan on a cooling rack for 30 minutes before cutting. Store bars covered at room temperature.

Yield: 9 GENEROUS BARS
Prep time: 20 MINUTES