embarrassment and thus comfort food

so you know how much students love free food? and if you say "lunch provided" it's guaranteed an audience? do you know how much I dread seeing "lunch provided"?? I just got an email for something next week where lunch is provided, so I have to proceed to send an email saying just exactly what kind of lunch are you providing, i have food allergies... And I inevitably get one back that says something along the lines of we haven't ordered anything yet so let us know what you're allergic to. Thus my dread...it's terrible to list out everything, mostly because it's usually sandwiches and pizza, both of which I can't eat for the dreaded yeast. It works out okay with pasta salad and usually regular salads, but it's so frustrating/embarrassing/annoying to have to email these people I don't usually know well and weight them down with something they don't need to deal with.

sigh.

i'm baking today. happily, a favorite dessert recipe with no eggs. and a crowd favorite. comfort food + gift for a friend combined in the absolute best way. (also, these freeze really well so make a pan and freeze them in ziplocs to take out later!)

Chocolate Raspberry Crumb Bars

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

2 cups all purpose flour

½ cup packed light brown sugar

¼ teaspoon salt

2 cups (12 oz package) Semi-Sweet Chocolate chips, divided

1 ¼ (14 oz can) Sweetened condensed milk

½ cup chopped nuts (optional)

1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam

Preheat oven to 350° F. Beat butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar, and salt until well mixed. With floured fingers, press 1 ¾ cups crumb mixture onto bottom of greased 13x9 inch baking pan; reserve remaining mixture. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until edges are golden brown.

Combine 1 cup morsels and sweetened condensed milk in small, heavy duty saucepan. Melt over low heat, stirring until mooth. Spread over hot crust.

Stir nuts into reserved crumb mixture, sprinkle over chocolate filling. Drop teaspoonfuls of raspberry jam over crumb mixture. Sprinkle with remaining morsels. Continue baking for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool completely on wire rack.