Honey Bars

Having made these bars several times over the past few months, I can vouch for their popularity, and delicious combination of flavors. They have become my go-to recipe for when I or my husband need to contribute something to a pot-luck event. We always get asked for the recipe. Try them—and they just might become your new favorite bar cookie, too.

Dough

2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey (hint: measure the oil in a 1 cup measure, add the honey, then pour both out together, and the honey will slide right out.)
1 cup sugar
1 egg

Glaze

1 cup confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 tablespoon water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a 10” x 15” jelly roll pan.

Whisk the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon together in a bowl and set aside.
With an electric mixer, combine the oil, honey, sugar, and egg until well blended.
Add the dry ingredients and mix until they’re incorporated.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan (grease your hand first, then pat the dough into place).

5. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until the top of the center looks dry. The bars will puff up, then fall a bit when they come out of the oven; this is how they should be.

6. While the bars are baking, make the glaze. Mix all the glaze ingredients together. When the bars come out of the oven pour the glaze over the top and spread evenly. An off-set spatula or pastry brush will help with this.

A note here: Yes, the glaze really does contain mayonnaise, and nothing else will do to get that unique flavor. If you must use a vegan version, canola, soyannaise, or Miracle Whip will do, but do not leave it out, and substitute something else.

Cool for 15-20 minutes before cutting into squares. ( 6 rows down by 9 rows across). You can trim the outer 1/2” all the way around the pan to get a more uniform result. Yield; 54 squares plus trimmings.