Butter Bars

Happy Labor Day Weekend!  These bars are perfect for your weekend bbqs this holiday weekend.  Buttery crust, crumbly top and ooey, gooey, caramelly middle . . . care for a bite?  Decadent yet simple and easy.  You can customize them however you want with the topping - I used coconut and sprinkles, but you can use nuts or chocolate chips.  I chose some red and white and blue sprinkles in honor of Labor Day.  Enjoy!

Butter Bars

Yield:  One 13x9 Pan

Ingredients:

Crust

3/4 Cup Butter

1/2 Cup Sugar

2 Cups Flour

1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Filling

4 Ounces Cream Cheese

1/3 Cup Butter

1 Cup Brown Sugar

Topping

1 Cup Coconut (I used unsweetened toasted coconut)

1 (1.7 ounce) Container of Sprinkles

Step 1:  Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.  Meanwhile, in a bowl, mix together all the ingredients for the crust until well combined and crumbly.  Remove 1 scant cup of the mixture and set aside.  Press the remaining mixture into a 9x13 pan.  Set aside.

Step 2:  In a bowl, mix together filling ingredients.  Beat until well combined.  Spread evenly over the patted crust in the pan - but don't go all the way to the edges.  Leave about a 1/2 inch of 'naked' crust around the edges.  Bake for 5 minutes.

Step 3:  After the bars have baked for 5 minutes, remove from the oven and top with the coconut.  Then, sprinkle the remaining reserved crust mixture over the bars.  Lastly, top with sprinkles.  Return to the oven for 25-30 minutes or until browned.

Enjoy!