8-Layer or Magic Bars

                                                                 

Hi! I'm baaaack with more favorite recipes that I have been perfecting for the last while. This is my husband's absolute favorite. Some folks call them 7-Layer Bars while others call them Magic Bars. In my opinion, I would rather eat them than quibble so let's get down to some serious baking! And why are my bars called 8-Layer instead of 7-Layer? Because they have an extra-special something something that makes them even more delectable - if that is even possible!

8 Layer Bars

The inside story

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 c graham wafer crumbs
• 1 stick (1/2 c) butter
• 3/4 pkg semi sweet chocolate chips
• 3/4 pkg salted caramel or butterscotch chips
• 3/4 pkg white chocolate chips
• 1/2 c chopped walnuts
• 1/2 c chopped pecans
• 1 pkg coconut flakes or shredded coconut - sweetened or unsweetened
• 1 x 14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk - regular not low fat

How-To: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees before starting. Line 9x13 inch pan with foil or parchment paper.

*True confessions: I made the mistake of lining the pan with foil and attempted to mix the graham wafers and melted butter right in the pan. Big mistake: ripped foil, messy results but so good!*

1. Melt stick of butter in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Check and melt a bit more if necessary.
2. Stir in the graham wafer crumbs with a fork and then press into a foil-lined 9x13 inch pan. (You can also use parchment paper but I find foil easier to fuss with)
3. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the crumb mixture
4. Sprinkle caramel (or butterscotch) chips evenly over the chocolate chips
5. Sprinkle white chocolate chips over the caramel chips (trust me, these make all the difference)
6. Sprinkle first the walnuts and then the pecans over the top
7. Sprinkle the coconut over the whole mess of deliciousness. Make sure all is covered with it.
8. Drizzle the whole thing evenly with the can of sweetened condensed milk. Don't leave gaps - the bars don't like that (just kidding - it's almost impossible to get it perfect but do your best)

Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes or so. The top should be slightly golden with darker gold edges (see the picture). This gives the best results. DO NOT even think about cutting this until it's thoroughly cool - or at least cool enough to not fall apart when you use a serrated knife run under hot tap water to cut it. If you use a better grade of foil than I did you should be able to pull the whole thing out of the pan. This is why we always put the foil slightly higher than the pan's edges, my friends. 

Enjoy....but I don't have to tell you that. If you cut it in many pieces - I call them 2-bite pieces while my hubby calls them "more" - you can get at least a couple to three dozen slices. I kept some out and froze the rest in 2 different freezer container, for the sake of self-control. They "keep" very well.