Yep, that’s right. Mud Hen Bars. I know the name doesn’t sound fancy and certainly doesn’t make you want to scream with excitement- BUT IT SHOULD. The name Mud Hen Bars should make you jump up and down and scream with joyful anticipation of enjoying one of the most excellent cookie bars you will ever eat. The bars combine the best of the best- cookie dough base, marshmallows and chocolate with a brown sugar meringue on top- baked until slightly golden and crispy with an ooey gooey interior. Question? Why haven’t I made more brown sugar meringue before?
After one bite, I feel like I had just stepped into the new world, having missed the boat on one of the most spectacular tastes, textures and flavors. Marshmallows and chocolate chips make up the simple yet amazingly satisfying middle layer and a chewy perfectly salty bottom layer is more of a cookie dough base than a crust. It is honestly something you must have this holiday season and if you need any other reason to make them then just say their name- Mud Hen Bars. Now doesn’t that sound intriguing enough to try! Just look at that chocolate and marshmallow filling falling apart? YUM!
Now the brown sugar meringue sounds and seems high- maintenance and overly complicated but it really isn’t. Especially if you have a stand mixer. I have had many frosting’s, icings, toppings i my day but none, in my opinion, compare to a fluffy white meringue with hints of decadent brown sugar. It’s a revelation really and one I am not sure I can live without. Best part of all the brown sugar meringue is gluten free and practically “healthy” since it only contains egg whites and sugar! Am I Right?!
Speaking of shear goodness- I received 3 bars of Chuao Chocolatier’s new line of chocolates that are now available in my favorite store- Target! I love doing reviews- especially when it comes to chocolate and especially when it comes to rich delicious creative chocolate. By creative, I’m talking Firecracker Chocolate with dark chocolate chipotle, popping candy and sea salt. The Potato Chip bar with natural potato chips crushed into milk chocolate and Honeycomb Bars- house caramelized honey and dark chocolate. They were amazing and so flavorful and the perfect end to a long and stressful day (No i didn’t; eat them all in one night- although tempted). The best part of all is Chuao Chocolatier is giving away a $1,000 designer shopping spree to lucky fans. All you have to do is go to their facebook page, like them and enter to win! Its so simple and who doesn’t like chocolate and shopping?! They are also giving away these fabulous prizes each week to their facebook fans: check out these fabulous prizes we are giving away each week:
- A one-year subscription to Birchbox ($120 value)
- A Broscato Vibrastrait flat iron ($150 value)
- Philosophy Miracle Worker Collection ($190 value)
- Clarisonic Mia2 Skin Cleansing System ($150 value)
- Gourmet Chuao chocolate ($180 value)
- ¼ cup shortening
- 4 Tbsp butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 whole egg + 2 eggs, separated
- 1½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- Preheat 350°
- Spray a 9x13 baking pan lightly with cooking spray. In a large bowl cream together shortening, butter, granulated sugar, 1 whole egg plus 2 yolks and vanilla until smooth.
- Add in flour, baking powder and salt and mix until just combined. Spread in prepared pan.
- Top with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows.In a clean mixing bowl with whisk attachment on your mixer, beat the 2 remaining egg whites until stiff peaks form, about 2 minutes on high.
- Fold in 1 light brown sugar and stir until combined and there are no lumps.
- Spread on top of chocolate chips and marshmallows. Bake 30-35 minutes until top is golden brown.Allow to cool completely before cutting into squares
Just when I thought there wasn’t a new and innovative bar out there, you surprised me! I love the brown sugar meringue, in fact I used one just this past weekend when I made my molten chocolate cakes, but I love the use of it in this recipe. Of course, the marshmallows don’t hurt either.
Oh la la! Meringue on molten cakes! Now that sounds amazing!
I’ve never heard of Mud Hen Bars before, but boy do they look good!! Anything with marshmallows and chocolate!
Thanks Shea! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas
I have not heard of these before but I want to try them ASAP!! These look amazing.
This is different and sounds delicious! A must try!
Thanks Pam and thanks for stopping by! Hope you having a wonderful Christmas. Just now able to catch up ok the comments. Sorry for the delay
I have never heard of Mud Hen Bars, but I definitely need to have these in my life! Beautiful and yummy!
Okay, the stretched marshmallow picture got me. I need to try these!
I have never heard of Mud Hen Bars but they sure look ooey gooey delicious. Have a great week, Jessica! Hugs…Biren xo
Thanks Biren and you too! You will be glad to know my son requested your cookies the other day when I asked him what he wanted me to make him
This is a new one for me, too, but they sure do look good!
Thanks John! Nothing compared to your fabulous treats you must make:) hope your having a great Christmas
Oh my… I want one! Now! 🙂
The bars sound like they are decadently good…especially from looking at you photos.
Wow, these sure looks so good! The oozy marshmallows with chocolate, are just perfect together! Wish I could have one slice right now!
I love the marshmallows in there–yum!
I have never eaten these before but would love to make them! Sounds and looks fabulous!
Oh, my gosh…why haven’t I made these before!!! So glad you shared…double YUM!
Ok, a potato chip and chocolate bar, yum! I love anything chocolate with anything salty like chips or pretzels. I’m sure you do as well, being that you’re my long lost twin. I had to laugh when I saw your comment that you use mpix as well. Hmmm…. what else are we going to have in common?
These bars looks super gooey and amazing. I love the 2nd shot of the marshmallow and chocolate chips oozing out. Did you just go in there and devour that piece after the shot? I would have. I took some shots of the chocolate coconut pie that I’m posting tomorrow and I couldn’t help myself from nibbling the pie as I was photographing it. So good!
xoxo,
Jackie
Oh I saw that pie on your blog and thought to myself boy I wish I had a HUGE slice
Oooh, I love how these bars even photograph “chewy”! Yum!
i just cant stop looking at that gooey choc marshmallow filling! my, oh my..they are incredible!
One look at the Mud Hen bars and I couldn’t resist the urge to bite into one of them. I’m tempted to bake them this weekend. The chocolate bars sound awesome!!
Oooh! Your third picture literally made me salivate. Such a nice photography of these chewy bars. love them.
It is deceiving how something with such a weirdo name could sound so amazing! But seriously…I’m sure I need these in my life.
These look very decadent and delicious!
Hey! Thanks for stopping by Amy!
Of course at first I was like “Mud Hen bars”? What the heck are those? And now I’m thinking…bring em on!! 🙂
Looooove the gooey texture – if I didn’t see the title my first reaction would have been “eh? Mochi in it!?” but now I know it’s the marshmallow! Looking so good! Dangerously delicious!
I know! The marshmallow filling is the best part!
Hi There, Wow…this recipe is looking Wonderful and I’m loving it so much. t is looking so good with all the lovely pictures and write up as well. I have been here after a while but enjoyed scrolling through your rest of the wonderful recipes.Today only I was wandering what to make, Got it now! I can’t wait to try it on my island. Thanks for sharing awesome recipes.
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy holidays !!!
Thanks & Regards, Sonia !!!
Oh my those sound wonderful, why have I never had a mud hen bar before?!
Probably because they sound horrible when u just hear the name! However one look and you know tone gotta have them
lol yeah the name is odd but they look incredible. I guess they are the type of bars that melt in your mouth and they are the ones who help you in your daily day dreaming. =)
Yes! They help more than you know! Lol!
Drool! Love the pull apart money shot! They sound pretty delicious to me. As do all of those fun chocolates
What a great name! My kids would love that. And I’m sure they would love the end result too. I hope you’re having a great holiday season Jessica! Thought of you the other day – I wore the headband with the little dogs on it to work and got so many compliments! 🙂
They may not have a fancy name but they look incredible!!! what a photo – my 11 year old is insisting I make these asap!! delicious 🙂 thank you for your lovely comment the other day 🙂
Mary x
Tell your 11 yr old to get in the kitchen and help you! Kids would have so much fun helping spread out the marshmallows and chocolate chips!