So I've learned a few things this week -- mostly about bar cookies with meringue and brown sugar on top.First I re-discovered an old recipe called Halfway Cookies where you spread dough across a pan, press in some chocolate chips, then spread the top with a mixture of egg white and brown sugar. During Halfway Cookie research, I got sidetracked by its cousin-cookie, the Mud Hen Bar. I'd intended to make Betty' recipe "Aunt Eva's Mud Hen Bars", but instead went off on my own and created Peanut Butter Mud Hen Bars.
Peanut Butter Mud Hens
If you're a peanut butter fan or bake for someone who is, you'll like these. In fact, you might even want to throw a few peanut butter chips in with the chocolate chips for more peanut flavor. These are a little richer than regular Halfway Bars and have a bit of airiness from the marshmallows which melt and leave air pockets underneath the meringue. Overall, I think the peanut butter was a fun add-in but I'd be happy with regular Mud Hens too.
Recipe
Peanut Butter Mud Hen Bars
Ingredients
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons plus ½ cup brown sugar divided use
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg separated
- ½ cup all-purpose flour 2.25 oz (spoon and sweep)
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8 inch square pan with foil and spray with baking spray or grease well and dust with flour.
- Mix together the butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons of the brown sugar, vanilla and egg yolk. Add flour and stir just until mixed. Stir in the peanuts. Spread batter across bottom of prepared pan using wet fingers.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips and marshmallows evenly over the batter and press lightly.
- Beat the egg white until stiff and beat in the brown sugar. Spread egg white mixture over marshmallow mixture (I stopped about ¼ inch from the edges of pan leaving edges uncovered) and bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until meringue is brown.
- Cool in pan set on a wire rack for a few hours. Lift foil from pan and cut into squares. At this point, I recommend chilling the bars/squares for a while. They're easier to cut when cold, and should you decided to cut them into even smaller squares, it will be easier.
- Makes 16 squares (of which some will be crusty edges).
Amanda says
These look amazing
Karen says
I made these Friday for my kids after school snack and they were so good. I will be making them again for sure.
Ashley says
I've never had a bar like this before! It looks amazing. I love the meringue on top!
Olga says
They look sooo good.. i love peanut butter anything!!!
Stacie says
My aunt Susie is known for her "Mud Hen Bars" and I don't think my kids have ever had them. I think I will make them for their first day of school snack. Thanks for giving me the idea! 🙂
Betty @ scrambled hen fruit says
These sound REALLY good with the peanut butter- I need to try this version! We're peanut butter lovers around here. 🙂
Shannon says
Everything about this makes me happy! I was going to try the halfway bars this weekend, but think I might start with this one!
pumpkinpie says
Wait, maybe I should throw in some pretzels too! YES.
pumpkinpie says
I have a cookie cookbook with a similar recipe for meringue-topped bars called 'Delta bars'. They look tempting but now that you invented a peanut butter marshmallow version, this will be priority one.
Barbara Hahn says
Anna, I can't wait to try these. I love that meringue topping.
Janet says
Oh yum, those make me hungry...I'll be right over for one;-) lol Thanks for all the work and the recipe!
Jess @ Bakericious says
this looks delicious.
drifter says
looks delicious (like rocky road fudge but warm and chewy) and getting added to my to-make list!
Katrina says
Well, those look fun and sound yummy. I know just the person who would love them. I have never heard of Mud Hen Bars before. Haven't heard of Halfway Cookies before either.