Happy Holidays Fossil!

Amidst holiday season comes baking—at least one can hope. For years, my family has held the tradition of setting aside a whole day to bake an assortment of cookies, most of which stem from our late grandmother’s cookbook. After having made them for years, my sister and I always find that the Magic Bars are our favorite. An easy recipe—coconut, nuts, and chocolate chips in perfect harmony on top of a graham cracker crust—they are enjoyed best sitting next to the fire in good company.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (or 325° for glass dish) 

This recipe requires:

• ½ cup margarine or butter
• 1 and ½ cups graham cracker crumbs 
• 1 – 14 oz can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated milk)
• 1 – 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 and ⅓ cup flaked coconut 
• 1 cup chopped walnuts 

1. In a 13×9-inch-baking pan, melt margarine/butter in the oven
2. Once melted, sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over butter/margarine
3. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs
4. Top with remaining ingredients – chocolate chips, flaked coconut, chopped walnuts and press firmly 
5. Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned, cool if desired.

* To add another layer to cookie bars: add 1 – 6 oz. package of butterscotch flavored chips after chocolate chips. 

Take the time to enjoy these Magic Bars during the most magical time of the year—you will thank me later!