Bar Cookies Are the Best!

Don't get me wrong, I loooove me some cookies, but with Two Under 2 it's often easier to bake bars rather than cookies. It usually takes less time (no scooping each individual cookie), and it's not as crucial to get them out of the oven right on time (a few extra minutes won't burn the batch). So, with that being said, here's a recipe from trusty old Betty Crocker for White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bars. The beauty of this recipe is you can change up the mix-ins with any that you like. Don't like white chocolate? Use semi-sweet. Don't have macadamia nuts on hand? Use walnuts or throw in some dried cranberries. Have a craving for something with peanut butter and chocolate? Use Reese's peanut butter cups, or a combo of semi-sweet and peanut butter chips. The possibilities are ENDLESS! And the bars are delicious, moist and chewy. (So moist even Dusty noticed and commented specifically on that aspect.)

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bars (slightly adapted)
3/4 c. butter or margerine
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1 Tbls. vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. chopped macadamia nuts
1 c. white chocolate chips
1 tsp. shortening
1. Heat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 13x9 pan.
2. Microwave butter until melted, and stir in brown sugar until thoroughly incorporated.
3. Beat in vanilla and eggs.
4. Stir in flour, baking powder, macadamia nuts, and 3/4 c. white chocolate chips just until incorporated.
5. Spread in greased pan and bake for 25-30 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature.
6. Melt remaining 1/4 c. of chips with the shortening and pour into resealable plastic bag. Snip corner and drizzle over the bars in whatever pattern you choose. (If you don't feel like doing this, just mix all the chips into the batter.)
The original recipe can be found here.

On a side note: Aiden's working really hard on his top teeth, which has caused him to start attacking us again to try to chew on our chins . . . Case in point below.

Trying to find a good angle . . .  

Going in for the kill: "Oooo Mom's cheek - this is perfect!"
(Usually it just kind of tickles, but he actually bit my cheek with his
gums and bottom two teeth here . . . it hurt!)

Mommy explaining that it's not very nice to bite people's faces. :) He took it well.