Blarney Bars

Makes about 3 dozen bars.

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup quick-cooking oats
3/4 cup toffee pieces
1/3 cup pecans, chopped

Blarney Bar Icing:
About 4 drops green food coloring
3/4 can (or 3/4 cup) vanilla frosting

Heat oven to 350 degrees F and lightly grease a 9-inch square baking pan.

In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and the brown sugar. Blend in the eggs, one at a time. Add the milk and vanilla extract, then blend the wet ingredients again.

Sift in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the quick-cooking oats and fold in the toffee bits. Add the pecans, and blend the mixture well with a wooden spoon.

Spread the mixture in the prepared baking pan. Press the mixture firmly into the pan, making sure to form an even surface for your bars.

Bake for about 25 minutes, or until a wooden pick may be cleanly removed from the center of the bars. Cool in the baking pan on a wire rack.

While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting by blending together the green food coloring and prepared vanilla frosting. Spread an even layer of the frosting over the bars, then cut in a diamond shape to serve.