Now Is the Time to Rediscover the Gooey, Marshmallow Magic of Mud Hen Bars

If you're looking for a new go-to potluck dessert, turn to grandma's recipe box. This mud hen bar recipe is like a twist on classic chocolate chip cookie bars, and it's absolutely delicious. We couldn't get enough when we tested this recipe in the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen. Here's how to make mud hen bars.

What Are Mud Hen Bars?

It's hard to pin down the origins of the original recipe for mud hen bars, but they're widely believed to have been created in the South or Midwest in the 1940s or 1950s. Variations of the recipe are often found in church and potluck cookbooks. Mud hen bars are made up of three layers: a blondie-style base layer, a middle layer made with chocolate chips, and a meringue topping. The finished bars are sweet and buttery with just the right amount of crunch from the toasted top crust.