Mud Hen Bars: three layers of delicious

I have no idea how Mud Hen Bars got their name, but I recently found the recipe tucked in an old cookbook, written in what I assume is my grandma’s handwriting.

There’s something pretty neat about reading a recipe written in your grandma’s handwriting. Sorta like she’s right there in the kitchen with you.

My grandma passed away when I was only seven years old, but I know if she was still around we’d be hanging out in the kitchen baking all the things. Like “One Banana” Banana Bread, Sour Cream Rhubarb Cake, Carrot Pie…and Mud Hen Bars.

A little bit of research told me that Mud Hen Bars are named as such because they’re not much to look at—sorta like a muddy hen. And I’ll admit, when they came out of the oven, I was sorta unimpressed by their look.

But oh friends, we’re not supposed to judge a book by it’s cover. And these bars are so. very. delicious. One of my very tall teen sons commented that it almost tasted like a Smore—which I can totally understand.

But these are so much more than a Smore.

You sneaky little Mud Hen Bars. Being all delicious in your sorta plain appearance. Forgive me. And let me snack on you, m’kay?

This bar is comprised of three layers. A crust, a marshmallow/chocolate chip/optional nut layer, and then a brown sugar meringue.

You guys I can’t even say brown sugar meringue without feeling like I have to put my pinky up. It’s almost too fancy for this farm(ish) girl’s farmhouse.

Ingredients for Mud Hen Bars

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup lard (or shortening)

1 cup white sugar

1 whole egg

2 more eggs, separated

1 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 cup miniature marshmallows

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup chopped nuts, optional

How to Make Mud Hen Bars

First, cream together the butter, lard, and white sugar. Then beat in one whole egg and two egg yolks. Keep the egg whites from the separated eggs for a later step.

Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt. Then combine the two mixtures. Blend thoroughly, and spread the resulting batter in the bottom of a greased 9×13 pan.

Sprinkle the chocolate chips, marshmallows (and nuts if you’re using them) over the top of the batter.

Now you get to make the fancy brown sugar meringue! Beat the two egg whites you saved until they form stiff peaks. Then fold in the brown sugar. Spread this yummy gorgeous deliciousness over the top of the 9×13 pan.

Bake for 30-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven.  When they’re done, let them cool a bit and then cut them into bars.

Don’t tell anyone in your family that they are done yet. Make sure you get to enjoy a few of the Mud Hen Bars first. Just a pro tip from me to you.

These bars are good warm or cold and are great to bring to a get together or a potluck. I don’t care what anyone says — they may not be the prettiest bars on the block, but they’re one of the tastiest.

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Mud Hen Bars

Mud Hen Bars are comprised of three layers— a crust, a marshmallow/chocolate chip/optional nut layer, and then a brown sugar meringue. So delish!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup lard (or shortening)
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 whole egg
• 2 eggs, separated
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 2 egg yolks

Instructions

Crust Layer

1. First, cream together the butter, lard, and white sugar. Then beat in one whole egg and two egg yolks. Keep the egg whites from the separated eggs for a later step.
2. Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt. Then combine the two mixtures. Blend thoroughly, and spread the resulting batter in the bottom of a greased 9×13 pan.

Middle Layer

1. Sprinkle the chocolate chips, marshmallows (and nuts if you’re using them) over the top of the batter.

Meringue Layer

1. Beat the two egg whites you saved until they form stiff peaks. Then fold in the brown sugar. Spread over the top of the 9×13 pan.

2. Bake for 30-40 minutes in a 350 degree oven. When they’re done, let them cool a bit and then cut them into bars.

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