Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      cups          firmly packed brown sugar
   2      cups          all-purpose flour
     1/2  cup           butter -- softened
   1      teaspoon      baking powder
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
   1      teaspoon      vanilla extract
   1      cup           milk
   1                    egg
   1      cup           semisweet chocolate chips
     1/2  cup           chopped walnuts
     1/4  cup           unsweetened flaked coconut -- optional

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13x9 inch baking pan, set aside. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the brown sugar and flour. Using a pastry cutter or two knives, cut in the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Remove 1 cup of mixture and set aside. Add baking powder and salt to mixture in large bowl. Using a fork lightly beat in vanilla, milk and egg. Continue beating until a smooth batter forms. Pour batter into prepared baking pan. In a small bowl, combine the chocolate chips and walnuts. Fold in the coconut. Sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top of batter in pan. Sprinkle with the chocolate chips and walnuts. Use a long flat spatula spread topping evenly over the top of the top of the batter in the pan. Bake bars for 35 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in center comes out clean. Transfer plan to a wire rack. Cool bars in pan completely before slicing. Using a serrated knife, cut into 24 bars. Store in airtight container for up to 5 days