Toffee Topped Bars

2 cups firmly packed brown sugar

2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking

pan; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar and flour.

Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter until mixture resembles

coarse crumbs. Remove 1 cup of mixture and set aside. To mixture in large bowl,

add baking powder and salt. Using a fork, lightly beat egg, milk and vanilla. Continue

beating until a smooth batter forms. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. In a small

bowl, combine the chocolate ships and walnuts. Fold in the coconut. Sprinkle reserved

crumb mixture over top of batter in pan. Sprinkle with the chocolate whips and walnuts.

Using a long flat spatula, spread topping evenly over the top of the batter in the pan.

Bake bars for 35 minutes or until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean.

Transfer pan to wire rack. Cool bars in pan completely before slicing. Using a serrated

knife, cut into 24 bars Store in airtight container for up to 5 days.