Nordstrom’s began here in Seattle when I was going to high school. To shop there was like going to Wonderland. They even smelled intoxicatingly good, like someone just spritzed your favorite perfume. The stores kept getting more and more fabulous as the years went on. I even bought my wedding dress there. Eventually, they added snack bars to the stores. Mom and I would stop and have coffee and a treat, and quite often these Magic Cookie Bars would be our treat. They are chewy with lots of different flavors going on.
I came across this recipe going through Mom’s recipe box. She loved trying anything new and different. Cookie bars were a big deal for awhile. They were so much easier than making individual cookies. Plus, you had the added benefit of cutting them up for storage or lunches. She got this recipe from our local newspaper.
Now don’t think you are limited to chocolate chips. You can substitute the chocolate chips or nuts with candy coated pieces, dried cranberries, raisins, mini-marshmallows or butterscotch chips. Add peanut butter to the sweetened condensed milk. The possibilities are endless. Now, ask me how many variations I’ve tried. I’ve tried them all, once. I like them best just this way. I’ve a real problem with change.
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped walnuts
Melt butter in a 9 by 13 inch baking pan in a 350 degree oven. Remove from oven and sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over melted butter. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Then sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over milk. Next sprinkle coconut over chocolate chips. Finally, sprinkle chopped nuts over coconut. Press layers down firmly. Return to oven and bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool and cut into bars. Makes 24 to 36 bars depending on the size you want.
* From the Recipe Box:
This was in Mom’s recipe box. I think it’s from the 80’s, but there isn’t a date on the recipe. She cut it out of the newspaper and made it fairly frequently.
and remember what Marilyn Monroe said: Nothing lasts forever. So, live it up, drink it down, laugh it off, avoid the drama, take chances and never have regrets, because at one point in your life everything you did was exactly what you wanted to do. Big kiss, Lynn
From the Recipe Box 