Chocolate Mint Bars

Better Homes and Gardens
"The Ultimate Cookie Book"
(the best cookie book ever!)

Prep: 30 min. Bake: 30 min. Oven: 350F. Makes: 36 bars

Ingredients:
1/2 C btter, softened
1/2 C shortening
1 C sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1 1/2 C mint-flavor semisweet chocolate pieces*
1 14 oz can sweetned condensed milk
1/2 C chopped walnuts (optional)
1 tsp vanilla

*If desired, substitute semisweet chocolate pieces and add 1/4 tsp mint flavoring.

Preheat oven to 350F. In a large mixing bowl beat butter and shortening with an electric mizer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, baking powder, and sald. Beat until combined, scraping side of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined., Beat inas much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Set dough aside.

For filling, in a medium saucepan heat and stir chocolate pieces and condensed milk over low heat until smooth, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in walnuts and vanilla.

Press two-thirds of the dough into the bottom of an ungreased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Spread filling evenly over dough. Dot remaining dough over the filling. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.