Chocolate Layer Bars

• one 12 oz. package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• one 8 oz. package cream cheese
• one 5.3 oz. can evaporated milk
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• ½ teaspoon almond extract
• 3 cups unsifted flour
• 1½ cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 eggs
• ½ teaspoon almond extract

Combine chocolate chips, cream cheese and milk in a medium saucepan. Cook over low heat until melted and smooth. Remove from heat. Add walnuts and ½ teaspoon almond extract.

In another bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, butter, eggs and ½ teaspoon almond extract. Press of this mixture in a greased 9"x13" pan. Spread chocolate mixture on top. Drop rest of crust mixture by spoonfuls on top of chocolate mixture.

Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown. Cool; cut into bars.

Yields: 3 dozen

— MSR