Friday Recipe: Butterscotch/M&M/Topping-Of-Your-Choice Bars

I believe this recipe may have originated in Cooking Light, in which case you can believe that eating dessert is good for you.


Butterscotch/M&M/Topping-Of-Your-Choice Bars
Serves many (9x13 pan)

1 c. sugar
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
4 large egg whites
2 tsp. vanilla
2.5 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
cooking spray
butterscotch chips/M&Ms/Topping Of Your Choice

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat sugars and butter until well-blended.
3. Add egg whites and vanilla; beat well.
4. In a separate small bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add flour mixture to wet mixture; beat until blended.
6. Spread batter in a greased 9x13 pan.
7. Sprinkle topping on the batter.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 27-30 minutes, or until a toothpick tells you the bars are cooked.

Notes:
*This is a versatile basic cookie base. You really can top it with anything, or even mix the topping into the bars. The dough will look, feel, and taste like chocolate-chip cookie dough sans chocolate chips.

*I often dump the dry ingredients straight into the wet ones without the pre-mixing stage. I'm posting the recipe as written, but this modification has yet to harm the deliciousness of the bars.

*This recipe can easily be halved if you don't need as many, or doubled if you need more. The bars freeze well (cut first, and store in a tupperware in the freezer).

*If you replace the butter with margarine and use a non-dairy topping, this can be made as a pareve/lactose-free dessert.