This is another recipe I got from a woman I worked with in the mortgage industry — and not the same woman who shared her wonderful Heath Bar Coffee Cake recipe. (Those mortgage ladies know how to bake!) I love these bars cold, straight from the fridge.

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon almond extract, divided

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup butter, softened

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13X17 baking pan.

Melt first three ingredients slowly over low heat or in the microwave, stirring often. Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 teaspoon almond extract. Set aside.

In large mixing bowl, blend remaining ingredients on low speead of mixer just until particles are fine. DO NOT CREAM. Press half of mixture in greased pan. spread with chocolate mixture, going barely to edges. sprinkle remaining crumb mixture evenly over top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until top is barely golden.

Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar. Cool completely before cutting into squares. Keep leftovers refrigerated.