Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

•1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•2 cups (12-ounce package) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips, divided
•1 can (14 ounces) Sweetened Condensed Milk
•1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
•1/3 cup strawberry jam

PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking pan.

BEAT butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar and salt until crumbly. With floured fingers, press 1 3/4 cups crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan; reserve remaining mixture.

BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

MICROWAVE 1 cup chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on high power for 1 minute; stir until chocolate is smooth. If not yet smooth, microwave for 10-15 extra seconds.  Stir until smooth.  Spread over hot crust.

STIR nuts into reserved crumb mixture; sprinkle over chocolate filling. Drop teaspoonfuls of strawberry jam over crumb mixture. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips.

BAKE for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.
*Makes 36 bars*

*If you would like to make a smaller batch, you may add only 1 stick of butter and 1 cup of flour.  Continue to use 1/2 cup of brown sugar or decrease the amount to 1/4 cup.  Melt 1 cup of chocolate chips and 7 oz . of sweetened condensed milk.  Instead of a 13 x9-inch pan, use an 11 x 7-inch pan.  The adjusted recipe will make 18 cookie bars.*