Crumble Bars

Yesterday I wanted to make a snack for the kids but I didn't feel like making one of our standards: brownies, chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies. So I did what I always do when I want to try something new and I got out my old cookbooks and my family cookbook. There are gems in these books just waiting to be discovered!

Since what's old is new again (case in point: mullets) I like to see what the ladies from the 40's, 50's and 60's were cooking up for their hungry families. I am rarely disappointed with a recipe from those era's and although the directions can be somewhat vague, because everyone knew how to cook then, they are almost always very easy.

I picked the humble sounding "Crumble Bars" recipe from my family cookbook. I was not sorry that I tried them :)

There is a buttery, brown sugary crust topped by a chewy, chocolate-y layer that is sweet without being overly so. A little of the crust is sprinkled on the top to make a crisp-like topping. They are so good, so easy and makes a whole cookie sheet full. I like recipe that come in bulk sizes!

Crumble Bars

For the crust mix together:

3 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt

Blend in:

1 cup shortening or lard
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla

Press 3/4 of the mixture in a cookie sheet. Reserve the rest of the crumbs for the topping. Set the cookie sheet aside.

For the filling melt together:

6 Tablespoons cocoa
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
6 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 Tablespoons evaporated milk

Pour over crust and sprinkle with the reserved crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.

These were good. So, so, so good. Make them so you can taste the deliciousness too. I don't want you to be left out!