Hoosier Bars

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 325° F.
2. 2
   Mix flour and baking soda together.
3. 3
   Beat 1/2 cup brown sugar, sugar and butter in a separate mixing bowl until creamy.
4. 4
   Add egg yolks and vanilla extract to creamed mixture.
5. 5
   Gradually mix in flour mixture until crumbly.
6. 6
   Stir in 1 1/2 cups chocolate morsels and 1/2 cup peanuts.
7. 7
   Press dough onto bottom of greased 13 x 9 inch pan (I put cling wrap over the dough and then just press with my hands- it just works better than any other technique I've found so far and this way my hands, though clean, aren't all over the food!).
8. 8
   Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
9. 9
   Gradually beat in remaining brown sugar until stiff peaks form.
10. 10
    Spread egg& sugar mixture over dough.
11. 11
    Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup chocolate morsels and remaining 1/4 cup peanuts.
12. 12
    Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
13. 13
    Cool on wire rack for approximately 20 minutes.
14. 14
    Cut into bars while still warm- the BEST time to eat these!