White Chip Lemon Streusel Bars

(I bake these at work.)

Makes one 13x9 pan of bars.

I never liked fruity desserts growing up. Anything with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries in it was a crime. Chocolate was a MUST when it came to satisfying my sweet tooth. But after tasting these white chip lemon streusel bars, my taste buds changed their little minds. The middle layer of these bars give off the sweet taste of lemon, boxed in by layers of crunchy goodness with a dollop of white chocolate.

INGREDIENTS

1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) white chocolate chips
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
3/4 cup chopped pecans
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9 baking pan. Combine sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice and lemon peel in medium bowl; set aside. Measure out 2/3 cup white chips; set aside. Add remaining white chips to lemon mixture.

Beat butter and brown sugar until blended in large mixer bowl. Stir together flour, oats, pecans, baking powder and salt; add to butter mixture, blending well. Remove 1 2/3 cups oats mixture; set aside. Add egg to remaining mixture, blending until crumbly. Press egg/crumb mixture on bottom of prepared pan. Gently spoon lemon mixture on top, spreading evenly. Add reserved 2/3 cup white chips to reserved crumb mixture. Sprinkle over lemon layer, pressing crumbs lightly.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool in pan on wire rack. Enjoy! :)