Dessert / Cookies: Chocolate Cheese Layered Bars

From Marlene Winter
Note: These don’t last long!

Ingredients
½ cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 (1 oz) square unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup chopped pecans
Cheese Layer
6 oz cream cheese, softened
¼ cup butter, softened
½ cup sugar
1 egg
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup chopped pecans
1 cup (6 oz) semisweet chocolate chips
3 cups miniature marshmallows
Topping
¼ cup butter
2 oz cream cheese, softened
1 (1 oz) square unsweetened chocolate
2 Tablespoons milk
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
For bottom layer: In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, chocolate and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour and baking powder; stir into chocolate mixture. Fold in pecans. Pour into a greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan.

For cheese layer: In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and butter. Beat in the sugar, egg, flour and vanilla; mix well. Fold in pecans. Spread over the chocolate layer; sprinkle with chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until edges pull away form sides of pan. Sprinkle with marshmallows; bake 2 minutes longer or until puffed. Spread evenly over cream cheese layer. Cool on a wire rack.

In a saucepan, combine first four topping ingredients. Cook and stir over low heat until smooth. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla; beat until smooth. Spread over cooled bars. Store in the refrigerator. Yields: 2 dozen.