  Toffee Topped Bars  2 cups firmly  packed brown sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup flaked coconut(optional)  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, lightly grease a 13x9-inch baking pan, set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar and flour.
3. Using a pastry cutter or two knifes, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs, remove 1 cup of mixture and set aside.
4. To mixture in large bowl, add baking powder and salt using a
fork, lightly beat in vanilla, milk and egg.
5. Continue beating until a smooth batter forms. pour batter into prepared baking pan.
6. In a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and walnuts. fold
in the coconut.
7. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top of batter in pan. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and walnuts.
8. Using a long spatula, spread topping evenly over the top of the
batter in pan.
9. Bake bars for 35 minutes or until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Transfer pan to a wire rack. Cool bars in pan completely before 
slicing.
11. Using a serrated knife, cut into 24 bars. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.
makes 24 bars.  Elfrieda Postma  