The Ultimate Chocolate Bar

I was leafing through an old pamphlet style cookbook of mine that my mom found recently, and I rediscovered this recipe. I love when that happens! The booklet is Pillsbury Classic No. 21, Volume 2 printed in 1982, called Cookies, Cookies and More Cookies Cookbook.  It cost me $1.98.  Gotta love that!

This recipe might be familiar to some of you. There is a brownie base, a cream cheese filling, and frosting with melted marshmallows swirled in on top. As soon as I saw the photo, I remembered exactly how these bars tasted and I got so excited to make them again. The comment I wrote at the bottom in my teenager handwriting was "Wow! Yummy!" And so they are.

The Ultimate Chocolate Bar
Makes ~36 bars

BASE:
1/2 cup butter
1 oz. (1 square) unsweetened chocolate
1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp.vanilla
2 eggs

FILLING:
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened (reserve 2 oz. for frosting)
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 TB flour
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla

FROSTING:
2 cups mini marshmallows
1/3 cup butter
2 oz. (2 squares) unsweetened chocolate
1/3 cup milk
2 oz. of reserved cream cheese
4 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Heat oven to 350-F. Grease and lightly flour (or use PAM cooking spray) a 13x9" pan.

In a large saucepan, melt the butter and chocolate over low heat. Stir in remaining base ingredients. Mix well. Spread in prepared pan.

In a small bowl, combine all filling ingredients. Beat 1 minute at medium speed until smooth and fluffy. Spoon over brownie base and spread carefully.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Sprinkle with marshmallows and put back in the oven for 2 more minutes.

Meanwhile, in large saucepan, melt the butter, chocolate, milk and reserved cream cheese over low heat. Remove from heat. Add powdered sugar and blend well (with a spoon). Immediately pour over marshmallows and swirl together.

Chill until firm. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator.