Mary Lu Stary of Brook Park got this recipe from her mother-in-law in 1964. She was living with her in-laws while her husband was in the service overseas, and her mother-in-law gave her the recipes for all of her husband’s favorite Christmas cookies. Although her husband died 16 years ago, Stary continues to make this cookie every year for her six children and grandchildren.
DREAM BARS
For the crust:
½ cup butter or margarine
½ cup soft brown sugar
1½ cups all-purpose flour
For the filling:
3 eggs
1½ cups soft brown sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
¼ tsp. salt
1½ cups coconut flakes
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp. vanilla
For the crust, cream together butter or margarine and brown sugar. Stir in the flour. Mixture will be coarse crumbs. Press into a greased 9-by-13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
For the filling, beat eggs until foamy. Add brown sugar. Beat until thick. Blend in the flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in coconut flakes, chopped walnuts and vanilla. Spread over baked crust and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Cool and cut into bars. The amount you get will depend on the size of the bars.
Makes 3 to 4 dozen small bars.
