Easy Cookie Bars (adapted by moi)1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
1. Mix together butter & cracker crumbs. Press into parchment-lined 9" square pan.
2. Sprinkle the base with the coconut, chocolate, and nuts. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top.
3. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes or so, or until golden brown. Cool completely in pan.
OK. I had to adapt this recipe because the original wasn't going to work. The original recipe called for a 9x13" pan, but there was no way I was going to get that base into that size pan. I even tried pressing it into a 10" square pan and that wasn't going to work, either. I ended up using a 9" pan and that was perfect for the amount of base ingredients. However, I had to reduce the amount of coconut from 1 1/3 cups to 1 cup as the original amount would have been way too much. Now, because I was adapting on the go, I realized that I was going to have too much sweetened condensed milk for this size pan, too, but I used the whole amount as I didn't want just a little bit kicking around (that stuff is dangerous!). It was probably too much as the squares didn't set properly and didn't brown evenly.
The end result: a bit of a mess. The graham cracker base didn't stay together & disintegrated when I lifted a square out to taste. The squares were also quite gooey, and as I said, didn't set well. Taste-wise, they are very sweet, which is fine, but not terribly exciting.
I probably won't make these again. I won't say these are a waste of time & ingredients because I will find a way to freeze them, but even though there were super easy to make, they just didn't live up to my expectations. But, onwards & upwards, eh? At least it was cool enough to bake, and for that I'm very grateful!
9 comments:
Too bad they came out excessively gooey. Ever had Thai Iced Tea? It's a lovely way to use up leftover condensed milk.
I have no luck when making bars with sweetened condensed milk. I have tried 7 layer bars, for example and they never work well for me.
I do, love it in other baked goods though. They looked delicious, anyway. :)
These are tough bars to make, but you did a valiant job, under tough circumstances. Mine are either too sticky or way to soft, they never set up enough, dammit!
You are being too hard on yourself, these bars look deliciously gooey...something cooks routinely strive for!!
I woulda guessed they were delicious w/ all that gooey goodness...but I'll take your word for it. But, I'd definitely say they're worth trying at least once :D
These look delightfully gooey and yummy!!!
I have some awards for you over at my blog :)
They sure do look good with that layer of chocolate - sorry you weren't happy with them. I wonder if some time in the fridge might help them set up a bit.
Curious: no, I've never heard of that, but it sounds good!
Donna-FFW: Thanks! Depends on the bar, I guess. Some stuff I've made has come out decently. Perhaps it's the quality of the sweetened condensed milk? Mind you, mine was Eagle Brand.
Denise: You've made these before? Glad I'm not alone...
Coleen: Yes, you're probably right!
Girlichef: everything's worth trying just once, even if it's to find out what to avoid in the future!
Finsmom: Thanks!
Reeni: I am actually going to put them in the fridge overnight to see what happens.
Sorry that they didn't live up to your expectations, but they look good! I don't like having leftover condensed milk either. I hate recipes that only call for a few tablespoons because then I'm left with the rest of the can, and it usually goes to waste.
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