Leprechaun Cookie Bars

With St. Paddy's day rapidly approaching, I wanted to come up with something special for my friends and family. These are so good. I love a chewy cookie or brownie and the center of these are super soft and chewy. I like to put them in little tins for St. Paddy's day with a little card that says "I'm so lucky to have you in my life." Always a big hit! 

Leprechaun Cookie Bars 

Cookie Crust Layer

10 tablespoons butter
1 1/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 large eggs
1/2 cup all purpose flour

In a medium sized saucepan, melt the butter.  Add the sugar nad the cocoa and whisk to combine. Remove from heat and add salt, vanilla, and eggs and whisk until combined.  Then add the flour and continue to stir until smooth.  

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line the bottom of a 9 x 9 baking pan with foil and then spray with non stick cooking spray.  Press the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan forming your crust.  Set aside.

Cookie Dough Layer

2 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup green mint chips

Using a stand or hand mixer, combine the butter, shortening and both sugars and cream together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl whisk together the flour baking soda and salt. Beat this into the butter and sugar mixture.

Spoon the mixture onto the layer of dough in the baking dish,  being careful not to disturb the cookie crust. Using a rubber spatula or greased fingers press the cookie dough batter onto the crust.  Then sprinkle the chocolate and mint chips on top of the cookie dough batter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown on top.  Cool slightly before drizzling with icing.

Mint Drizzle

1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon mint extract 

2 tablespoons milk

3 drops green food coloring

Whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and mint extract until smooth. Mix in the food coloring a drop at a time until you get the right color of green you want. Drizzle over top of cookie bars. Add more chocolate chips for garnish.

Cool completely at room temperature or chill in refrigerator before cutting into bars.  

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