Toffee-Topped Bars

Grrrrrgh!
Course : Bars
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 24
 

Ingredients:

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter -- softened
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup milk
1 large egg
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut -- optional
 

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking pan, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar and flour. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Remove 1 cup of mixture and set aside. Add baking powder and salt to mixture in large bowl. Using a fork lightly beat in vanilla, milk and egg. Continue beating until a smooth batter forms. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. In a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and walnuts. Fold in the coconut. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top of batter in pan. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and walnuts. Use a long flat spatula spread topping evenly over the top of the top of the batter in the pan. Bake bars for 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer plan to a wire rack. Cool bars in pan completely before slicing. Using a serrated knife, cut into 24 bars. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days