Seven Layer Bars

Last week was Michael's birthday! Happy Birthday Michael!! We were going out of town for the weekend to see family, so I didn't get to make him a birthday cake. I decided to make Seven Layer Bars to take on our trip. Thse are also known as Hello Dolly Bars. Whatever you call them, they are so good. They are really, really sweet and rich, but so good. There are seven layer to these bars and when baked they melt together into perfection. Just beware, you can't eat just one! Enjoy.

Seven Layer Bars
Source: Baking Illustrated

1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
9 graham crackers (5 ounces), crushed
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup white chocolate chips
½ cup butterscotch chips
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1. Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick spray. Line the pan with two overlapping pieces of foil or parchment paper, leaving overhang to act as handles for lifting the bars out of the pan. Spray with non-stick spray.

2. Spread the coconut on a baking sheet and bake until the outer flakes just begin to brown, about 8 minutes (watch carefully and stir to toast the coconut on all sides). Set aside. Meanwhile, place the stick of butter in the prepared baking pan and put it in the oven to melt, about 6 minutes.

3. When the butter has melted, remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs over the melted butter. Toss lightly until all the butter is absorbed and the crumbs are evenly distributed. In order, sprinkle the walnuts, chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and coconut over the graham crumbs. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the entire dish.

4. Return the pant to the oven and bake until the top is golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a wire rack to room temperature, about 2 hours. Remove the bars from the pan using the foil or parchment handles and transfer to a cutting board. Using a sharp knife or bench cutter, cut into 2 by 3-inch bars.