1/2 c margarine

1 c sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 (1lb) can chocolate syrup (1 1/2 c)

1 c plus 1 Tblsp sifted flour (instead of sifting simply mix dry ingredients well with cooking whip $1 at $1 stores)

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c chopped walnuts (if desired)

6 Tblsp margarine

6 Tblsp milk

1 c sugar

1/2 c semisweet chocolate pieces

1 tsp vanilla

Beat 1/2 c margarine with 1 c sugar til light & fluffy. Beat in eggs, two at a time, and 1 tsp vanilla. Mix well. Stir in chocolate syrup.

Sift (see note i just use whip to mix well) together flour, backing powder, & salt. Stir into chocolate mixture. Add nuts. Pour into well-greased 151/2 x 101/2 x1" jelly roll pan & spread evenly. (this is just a cookie sheet with little higher edges than some.)

Bake in moderate over (350) 22 to 25 minutes or until slight imprint remains when touched lightly with finger. Remove pan to rack & let cookies cool.

Meanwhile, combine 6 Tblsp margarine, milk & 1 c sugar in saucepan; stir to mix. Bring to a boil & boil 30 seconds. Add chocolate pieces (generics work fine just be sure is semi sweet ); stir until mixture thickens slightly & cools. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla. Spread over cooled cookies, then cut into 21/2 x 1" bars. Makes 5 dozen.

This is from 1959 Farm Journal's County Cookbook which also was revised in 70's. It is the best cook books I have ever encountered & I used to have a large collection of them. I lost mine, someone borrowed & never returned (!) so looked for 6 years til daughter introduced me to Ebay & found there! Awesome recipes. Happy eating! I didn't buy a jelly roll pan by the way, i had an older cookie sheet with a little higher edging & simply used that & it worked out well.