Chocolate Maple Bars

Chocolate Maple Bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup shortening

3/4 cup Lost Nation's maple syrup

1/2 cup sugar

3 large eggs

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

FROSTING:

1/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 cup baking cocoa

1/2 cup Lost Nation's maple syrup

1 cup miniature marshmallows

Directions

In a large bowl, cream the shortening, syrup and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Remove half of the batter to another bowl.

Combine melted chocolate and pecans; stir into one bowl of batter. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Add coconut to remaining batter. Spread carefully over chocolate batter.

Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and cocoa. Gradually add syrup, beating until smooth. Fold in marshmallows. Frost bars.

*from Taste of Home