Easy Chocolate Pecan Bars and Running Away from Home

Ever have those days/weeks/months/years when life overwhelms you?

Well, last week I decided I'd had enough, so I packed my laptop and ran away from home. With my husband's blessing, of course. 

Where did I go?

The ranch. 

There I was able to sit back and breathe freely, enjoying views like this.

Not to mention unobstructed sunrises. 

Note that there are no houses to block my view.

It doesn't matter where one tries to hide from reality, though, reality dictates we must eat. 

So why not treat yourself.

This is one of my favorite treats, though I rarely make it because I'm the one who usually ends up eating all of it. Fortunately, like the Pumpkin Squares I shared last week (recipe here), it only makes a small pan, meaning I polished them off in a mere two days, so the guilt is minimal.

Here's what you'll need:

1 cup flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/8 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

1/3 cup melted butter

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a square baking pan (8 x 8 or 9 x 9).

In a medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

 I paused to chop my pecans.

Then stirred them into the flour mixture and set the bowl aside.

In a small bowl, add the brown sugar to the melted butter and mix well.

Let that mixture cool just a bit before adding one beaten egg and the vanilla.

Pour that into the flour mixture and stir until everything is well combined.

Spread the batter into your prepared pan.

And sprinkle with chocolate chips.

While you're licking the bowl, bake the bars for 20- 25 minutes for a 9 x 9 pan, 25-30 minutes for an 8 x 8 pan, or until center is done.

Just look at those pecans and the melty chocolate. 

Be still my heart.

Yes, I was definitely in my happy place. Just me, my laptop, lots of tea and these to-die-for treats. No one to worry about fixing dinner for, no laundry, no being pulled in two different direction, no worries at all. 

But alas, all good things must come to an end. Especially when you start missing your family. For as much as they can drive me crazy, a life without a little craziness gets a little boring.

Now it's your turn. Have you ever wanted to run away from home? Have you ever actually done it?