Ridiculous Magic Bars

I completely and totally lost control of these bars. There is an insane amount of sweet running through these darlings and if you are not a fan of sweet, you might want to close it up and try back another day.

The usual seven-layer or magic bars have a graham cracker crust with flaked coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts and a layer of sweetened condensed milk on top. Sometimes these are made with white chocolate, sometimes not. What these bars are never made with is caramel squares.

Why would anyone use caramels you ask? Well, my single life sometimes has an odd affect on my baking. The night before I was set to make these, my Dad came over to babysit while I went out to partake in shenanigans among friends. The next day, I went into the cupboard to find my one and only bag of butterscotch chips half eaten. Since I had been out to the wee hours of the morning, I was not in a position to a.) complain to my very understanding Dad, b.) looked like night of the living dead and a trip to the grocery store to buy another bag would have scared little children and c.) my head was pounding and the thought of going out in broad daylight was a little too daunting. So, when in a baking bind, substitute. I happened to have a bag of caramels and I compensated for the loss of butterscotch with about seven caramels. Did it work? Like a charm! Absolutely sublime. xoxo - AJ

Recipe:

1 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup salted butter, melted
1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 package butterscotch chips
1/2 package white chocolate chips
1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
1 cup shredded coconut, sweetened
7 caramels chopped
1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

Method:

Preheat oven to 350F and lightly grease an 13x9-inch baking pan.

Stir together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Pour into prepared pan and press into an even layer, using your fingertips,the back of a spoon or a spatula. Spread chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and white chocolate chips in a layer on the graham crackers. Spread walnuts in a layer on the chocolate chips. Spread coconut in a layer on top. Pour sweetened condensed milk over everything. Sprinkle caramels evenly over center of dish.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until coconut is golden brown.

Cool completely before slicing.

Bars can be served at room temperature or chilled.