::Rocky Road Fudge Bars::

Ever look back on your elementary, junior high, or high school days and think "man those were some fun times we had?!" This recipe reflects a little bit of that for me. I had the priviledge to only live a couple miles from one of my best friends and we were definitly together all. the. time. Remember when "chatting" was the cool thing to do? Maybe it still is but I don't do it anymore. Anyways, for our "chatting" times we would usually be at my house and for some reason thought it was the most awesome thing to do; that and eat these bars while we were doing it! This was in between the times we would get kicked off the internet and then have to wait for that dial-up connection and get back on AOL chat (i'm not even old but I feel like this out-dates me)! Anyways, the computer was downstairs and these bars were kept in the freezer downstairs so it made it really convenient. We liked them the best when they were frozen. I always would think about those fun times and whenever thinking about the "chatting" days those bars would come to mind. I had never made them before until now, and they are just as good as I remember them! Enjoy!

::Rocky Road Fudge Bars::

Base

1/2 c. margarine or butter

1 oz. unsweetened chocolate, cut up

1 c. Pillsbury BEST All Purpose flour

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

3/4 c. chopped nuts

Filling

1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened, reserving 2 oz. for frosting

1/4 cup margarine or butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 tbsp. Pillsbury best all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1 egg

1/4 c. chopped nuts

1 (6 oz) pkg. (cup) semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 cups marshmallows

Frosting

1/4 c. margarine or butter

1/4 c. milk

1 oz. unsweetened chocolate, cut up
Reserved cream cheese

3 cups powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9x13'' pan. In large suacepan, melt 1/2 cup margarine and 1 oz. unsweetened chocoalte over low heat, stirring until smooth. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup; level off. Stir in 1 c. flour and remaining base ingredients; mix well. Spread in greased and floured pan.

2) In small bowl combine 6 oz of the cream cheese and all remaining filling ingredients except nuts, chocolate chips, and marshmallows. Beat 1 minute at medium spped until smooth and fluffy; stir in 1/2 c. nuts. Spread over chocolate mixture; sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips.

3) Bake at 350 degrees for 25-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven; immediately sprinkle with marshmallows. Return to oven; bake an additional 2 minutes.

4) While marshmallows are baking, in large saucepan, combine 1/4 c. margarine, milk, 1oz. unsweetene chocolate and reserved 2 oz. cream cheese. Cook over low heat, stirring until well blended. Remove from heat; stir in powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla unil smooth. Immediately pour frosting over puffed marshmallows and lightly swirl with knife to marble. Refrigerate 1hr or until firm. Cute into bars. Store in refrigerator.

Mixing in the nuts.

Base complete.

Mixing the filling.

Filling ready.

Filling spread on base.

Getting the marshmallows ready.

All ready for the top!

Making the frosting.

Ready to eat if you want them right out of the oven.

Cassandra and I like them frozen! :)

Close up.