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~ kitchen sink cake bars ~

I was craving a certain treat that I had enjoyed when Jeff and I were vacationing in Chicago. There’s this little coffee shop in the Water Tower Place Mall called “Sacred Grounds” that makes these huge cookies called “Kitchen Sink Cookies.” I remember they were chock full of chewy, crunchy, chocolaty, “stuff” and on Saturday I decided to create a bar inspired by that cookie.

preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

butter a 9 x 13 glass cake pan

In a large bowl, combine:

1 stick butter, softened

1/2 cup applesauce

3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup white sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla

stir until completely combined and smooth

Add:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

3 cups old fashioned cooking oats (uncooked)

Mix well.

Fold in:

1/4 cup sweetened coconut

1 cup chopped dates

1/2 cup coarse chopped pecans

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks

1 cup crispy bacon crumbles, cooled

2 Tablespoons bacon drippings

mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed

Spread the bar batter into the buttered cake pan, mixture will be thick. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until completely set and golden brown.

Cool completely, cut into squares, drizzle with maple glaze (combination of powdered sugar, milk and maple extract.)

Enjoy!

~Melissa