Chocolate Maple Bars

My family runs a maple syrup operation, and I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate maple syrup into my cooking and baking. These bars are delicious!

Chocolate Maple Bars

Average Rating: 5

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 25 min. + cooling
YIELD: 3 dozen.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup shortening
  • 3/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons 2% milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1-1/2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

  • FROSTING:
  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 1/2 cup baking cocoa
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1 cup miniature marshmallows

Instructions

  • 1. In a large bowl, cream the shortening, syrup and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Beat in the eggs, milk and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Remove half the batter to another bowl.
  • 2. Combine melted chocolate and pecans; stir into 1 bowl of batter. Spread into a greased 13x9-in. baking pan. Add coconut to remaining batter. Spread carefully over chocolate batter.
  • 3. Bake at 350° until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  • 4. For frosting, in a small bowl, beat butter until smooth. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and cocoa. Gradually add syrup, beating until smooth. Fold in marshmallows. Frost bars.

Nutrition Facts

1 bar: 143 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 21mg cholesterol, 43mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.