Wednesday's Recipe - Magic Cookie Bars

Yeah, I know. Late again. Sorry, I was out of town for a couple days visiting IU and the area nearby. On Wednesday my son and I hiked two miles in the pouring rain at McCormick's Creek State Park while Dad/Hubby attended a meeting on campus at the Indiana Geological Survey. Thursday we all met with the director, one of the advisors, and the special ed. coordinator for IU High School, a virtual correspondence/online diploma-granting school. We're hoping to replace homeschooling with their program. After the meeting we returned to the park for a couple more miles of rugged trails--with no rain, but lots of bugs. My son and I decided we prefer rain. :D

This week's recipe is one of my all-time favorite cookie recipes. Have everything ready before you begin and these heavenly bars will be done in about 40 minutes, including prep.

Magic Cookie Bars

2 packages graham crackers, crushed (packages, not boxes--2/3 of a box)
1/2 cup margarine
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 11.5 oz. package milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup ground walnuts
1/2 cup coconut flakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put margarine in a 13"x9" cake pan; place in oven until margarine is melted. Remove from oven. Pour graham cracker crumbs over margarine to make a crust in the bottom of the pan. Pour and spread sweetened condensed mik over crust. Sprinkle on milk chocolate chips. Combine walnuts and coconut. Sprinkle mixture over chocolate and press with fingers. Return pan to oven for about 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.

These are fantastic served warm with a scoop of ice cream. Top with hot fudge and caramel sauce. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts. Or serve cool. They're great that way, too!

Mellanie Szereto
Romance...With a Kick!