Cookie of the Week!

 

 

 

Gooey Bars!

This week I made one of my favorite cookies to send the kids at college.

OK, so maybe some of you noticed that I missed a week and yes, it was only the second week.

Believe it or not the kids didn’t seem to mind. They are just genuinely grateful when you send them anything.

These bars however, were specifically requested by my freshman son.

Gooey bars are a perfect choice when you don’t have a lot of time to bake, but want to make a good platter full of goodies.

Basically, you make the graham cracker crust, then pile on a cup of each ingredient you want to add.

The usual way to make this cookie bar is to add a cup of coconut, then a cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips, then butterscotch chips (you guessed it, a cup), then a can of sweetened condensed milk, and top it off with chopped pecans (once again about a cup). Honestly, I don’t usually measure. (don’t tell)

Now if you have a kid or spouse that is not a fan of coconut, then leave it out. It will still be a delicious cookie bar.

The other way to keep them on their toes is to add another candy element, such as the Heath Bar. Heath Bars make anything better. Just my opinion, for what it’s worth. Of course you will want to crunch it up in a food processor, or put it in a plastic bag and beat it with a rolling pin.

 

You will want to assemble your ingredients. A simple step that saves so much time in the end.

Now preheat your oven and by the time you finish putting it together the oven will be ready.

Next grease your baking pan.

Now simply take two sticks of butter and melt them in the microwave.

(About a minute and a half on high)

 The next step is to crush two packages of graham crackers and mix them with the melted butter.

Dump (the technical term) the crumb mixture into the greased pan and pat it down to completely cover the bottom of the pan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now the fun begins!

Start layering your toppings, just like a sundae or a pizza. Whatever you are putting on top, just measure about a cup of each thing. You can start as I did, with coconut, then chocolate chips, then butterscotch, or whatever crunched up candy bar you enjoy.

Once you have evenly disbursed the toppings, then comes the gooey part; the sweetened condensed milk. Such a magical substance that just makes life a little sweeter.

This is the glue that holds this bar together and makes it taste like heaven.

All that’s left, is to top it off with whatever type of nuts you like. Pecans are great, but my family also loves it with walnuts. Chopped peanuts would be good as well.

This is a fun recipe to play with and change to suit the tastes of your family.

Once you have finished putting your work of art together its time to put it in the oven for about 20-25 min.

When it’s all done baking and the entire house smells like a bakery, then take it out and let it cool in the pan.

Now it is time to cut it up and eat it up.

In my case, I cut it up and packed it up:)

OK boys, they are on their way!

I hope you will share these with all your friends.

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I hope your family loves them as much as mine does!