Estimated time:
10 min. prep.
15-20 min. bake
Cool for a good long while
(or tuck into fridge to 'set' the melted chocolate 'frosting')

Number of servings:
24 pieces

Ingredients: (Hit your return key to start a new line)
1 c. butter, softened

1 c. brown sugar

1 egg yolk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 c. flour

1/4 tsp. salt

6-12 oz. chocolate chips*

1 c. chopped, toasted nuts (optional)

Directions:
Heat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cream butter and brown sugar together (w/electric mixer, whisk, or wooden spoon) until light and fluffy.

Add egg yolk and vanilla; beat until smooth.

Add flour and salt; mix until blended.

Pat dough into a 9"x13" baking pan. Bake 15-20 minutes, until Lightly browned on top. (Cookie(s) will be soft to the touch.)

Remove pan from oven (place on cooling rack IF you own one
;-) Immediately spread with half the bag of chocolate chips* and allow to 'rest' for 5 minutes. Spread melted chips in an even layer. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired.

Let sit until the chocolate has cooled and 'firmed up'
(I find this easiest to do if I simply Leave the House, or bake 'em just before bedtime) Place out of reach of chocolate-loving Pets ;-)

Cooling may be hastened by placing the pan in the fridge; in that event, you may wish to Slice the bars before they are chilled.

Other suggestions and comments:
These cookies are Rich; rather like a soft shortbread bar. I like them primarily because the ingredients are items I usually have on hand (butter stores well in the freezer)and it goes together Quickly. By the time I get the dishwasher loaded up, the baking is nearly done. It's a recipe that doesn't mess around, and delivers the goods. Perfect for a child's last-minute requests for classroom parties or bake sales...and so darn Easy that children can prepare it themselves, w/supervision. Certainly, as easy as a batch of box-mix brownies.

*The first time I made 'em, half a bag of Regular choc. chips (6 oz.) was all I had on hand, and that, used on top, satisfied the Sweet Tooth, yet I knew it could be improved upon.

The second time, I made 'em even more 'sinful' by using Mini chocolate chips, adding half of the 12 oz. bag to the Dough. Mini chips blend most easily with the crumbly dough; for melting/spreading Any ol' chip (or plain chocolate bar(s) would do.

The third batch wuz made with: a substitution of Peanut Butter for half of the butter, and that worked out Verrrry Nicely, too. For that, I would not bother with adding chips to the dough. The peanut-y taste is fine, and using chocolate on top is sufficient.

For 'pot lucks' and such, you must label anything containing peanuts or 'tree nuts'; all nuts are becoming more common as allergens, and people need to know What's In stuff...but for Home, hey...Bring it On!!!

;-) ;-) ;-)