TIP 1: The parchment paper should be large enough to cover both the bottom of the pan and fold at the corners to also cover the sides. You can vary the bars by changing the types of chips (milk chocolate, caramel sea salt, peanut butter, semi-sweet chocolate), and by changing the types of nuts (almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, peanuts).

Magic Layer Bars

Special Equipment: 9” by 13” pan and parchment paper

Recipe makes 24 bars. Total time 4 hours and 35 minutes. Active time 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

For the bars:

• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 1½ packets whole crackers)
• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup walnut halves, measured and then crushed
• 1 ¼ cups unsweetened shredded coconut
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk

For the top of the bars:

• 2 cups dark chocolate chips, melted and drizzled over the top of the pan after baked and cooled

Directions:

1. For the bars: Preheat the oven to 350℉. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, covering the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter in a bowl and mix until the crumbs are shiny and coated with butter. Press the mixture into the pan using the base of a measuring cup to flatten it. Evenly distribute the dark chocolate chips over the crust, followed by the butterscotch chips and the white chocolate chips. Sprinkle the walnuts over the top of the white chocolate chips. Slowly drizzle the condensed milk over the pan as evenly as possible. Distribute the shredded coconut evenly over the top.
3. Cover the bars with a piece of parchment and press down with your hands to compact the layers. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges and top are a light golden brown.
4. Cool the bars completely, ideally overnight, before cutting them into 24 bars.
5. For topping the bars: Melt the chocolate chips over a double-boiler, stirring frequently, until smooth. Once bars are cut and on the serving plate, drizzle the melted dark chocolate over the tops of the bars. They will disappear from the plate within minutes!

Recipe first featured on Ranch To Table Season 4 Episode 2: "After the Rain" on the Magnolia Network.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth