Mom’s Mud Bars

Yields: 9 squares

Ingredients:

1 cup + 2 tbsp flour

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

1 stick (equivalent to ½ cup) butter, softened

¾ cup brown sugar, packed

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 egg

12 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided into 1 ⅓ cup and ⅓ cup portions

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.

2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy.

4. Add egg. Beat again.

5. Gradually add flour mixture and beat. Stir in 1 ⅓ cup chocolate chips.

6. Spread mixture into foil-lined 9-inch square pan. Bake for 23-25 minutes.

7. Sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips on top. Give it a minute for them to start melting, and use the blunt side of a knife to lightly spread the chips into swirl patterns when shiny.

8. When the pan is no longer hot, “set” the chocolate swirls by placing the pan in the refrigerator for a brief 5-10 minutes.