Everything But The Kitchen Sink Bars

Everything But The Kitchen Sink Bars

Recipe type: Dessert 

Prep time:  10 mins 

Cook time:  25 mins 

Total time:  35 mins 

Serves: 24 

A basic cookie bar recipe that goes perfectly with whatever add-ins you want to include! It's the perfect way to use up those random leftover candies that you aren't sure what to do with.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup butter (I used unsalted) 
• 1¾ cups light brown sugar, packed 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 2 eggs 
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• ½ teaspoon salt 
• 1-2 cups various add-ins (we like to include whatever we have on hand, such as chocolate chips, M and M's, pretzels, peanuts, raisins, etc. Basically anything goes!) 

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 13x9" baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. 
2. Place the butter in a large saucepan and melt over low heat. Take the saucepan off the heat and add brown sugar; stir until completely incorporated. Let butter and brown sugar mixture cool for 5-6 minutes. Slowly add in the vanilla and then add in the eggs one at a time, mixing after each one. 
3. In a separate bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add half of the flour mixture into the saucepan and stir well. Continue to stir as you add the rest of the flour mixture. 
4. Fold in any add-ins that you want to include (chocolate chips, nuts, etc). Spread batter in prepared 13x9" pan. Bake for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bars comes out clean (be sure to not overcook, as they will not be soft and chewy if cooked for too long!). 
5. Let cool and cut into bars.