Mud hens

I just love old Southern recipes with funny names. Mud hens is a classic example. I wish I had some interesting story to tell you about how they got their name, but I honestly haven’t a clue; that is just what they are called. Until you’ve had a mud hen, you can’t possibly imagine how gooey and delicious they are, and once you’ve had one, you’ll stop giving strange looks when you hear the name and instead just light up in hopes of being offered one.

¼ cup shortening

4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter, at room temperature

1 cup granulated sugar

1 whole egg

2 eggs, separated

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup chopped nuts

1 cup mini marshmallows

½ cup Nestle Toll House

Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels

1 cup packed light brown sugar

• Preheat the oven to 350 F and butter a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
• In a large bowl, cream the shortening, butter, and sugar. Beat in the whole egg and 2 egg yolks.
• In a separate bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
• Combine the flour mixture with the creamed mixture, blending thoroughly.
• Spread the batter into the baking pan. Sprinkle the nuts, marshmallows, and chocolate chips over the batter.
• In a large bowl, beat the 2 egg whites until stiff; fold in the brown sugar and spread over the top of the batter. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until lightly browned on top. Cool completely, then cut into bars.

12 servings