Sleep. A list. Chocolate. Not necessarily in that order.

Sleep works wonders. After stressing for the last couple of weeks over work and my upcoming trip, I was faced once again with trouble falling asleep at the end of an exhausting day. My brain just keeps spinning with the myriad of things I need to do and things I need to not forget. So last night, as I was facing another long, aggravating, sleepless night, I decided to just make a list of all the things I need to do and not forget. A list. Such a simple solution. But it worked! Once I had everything written down, it was out of my head and I fell fast asleep and slept all night long. (That’s important too)

So this morning, armed with my list of things to do, I bounced out of bed knowing that I would be sitting in an airport at that very hour tomorrow morning. So much to do! But not so stressed anymore.

Who knew a simple list would lead to such much needed sleep which would lead to less stress. Hand in hand they go.

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Another great cure for. . . . well, ANYTHING is chocolate. I have been browsing this one particular cookbook for a couple of weeks now. It’s Betty Crocker’s “Cookies and Bars” and it is FABULOUS. There are so many recipes that I wanted to try that I simply couldn’t make up my mind. Then Monday night in a fit of not being able to sit still, I made these Chocolate Pecan Bars. Let me tell you. . . .as Rachael Ray would say it. . . . YUMMO!! So good! I can’t wait to try everything else in the book. If you want to try them, and I think everyone should, this is what you need. Simple.

FUDGY PECAN PIE BARS

Base:
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 sugar
1/4 unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp vanilla

Topping:
2 eggs
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbl butter, melted
2/3 cup dark corn syrup
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 cups pecans, chopped
1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, beat flour, 3/4 cup butter, 1/2 cup sugar, the cocoa and 1 tsp vanilla with mixer on low speed until crumbly. Press into bottom of ungreased 15×10x1 inch pan. Bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk together the eggs, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 Tbl melted butter, the corn syrup and 1/2 tsp vanilla until smooth. Stir in pecans and chocolate chips. Spoon evenly over baked crust. Bake for about 15 minutes or until set. Cool completely, about an hour. Cut into 8 rows by 4 rows.

As I say with most all of the recipes that I post, this really is EASY and totally delicious. I brought them to work and I watched eyeballs roll back in a couple of heads as they thought they’d gone to chocolate heaven. Delicious.