Magic Cookie Bars

These are the best!  We make our own condensed milk, which makes them even better but try it whatever way works best for you.

Magic Cookie Bars

For the crust:

6 T unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
20 graham crackers (about 1 1/2 cups of crumbs)
1/4 c sugar
spoonful of molasses
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 large egg

For the topping:

1 14-oz can sweetened, condensed milk
1 1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 c pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)
2 c sweetened, flaked coconut

Heat oven to 350F. Butter (or spray) a 9x13 pan.

Process the graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Then add the sugar and molasses, baking powder, and salt and pulse until the mixture is combined. With the machine running, add the egg and melted butter and process until the crumbs are moistened and clumps form.

Place the crumbs in the prepared pan. Use your fingers to press the mixture into an even layer. Bake for about 15 minutes, until crust is set and dry.

Pour the condensed milk over the crust and use a spatula to spread it out into an even layer (smooth the high ridges). Sprinkle half the chocolate and half the nuts on top, then sprinkle all of the coconut on top. Finally add the remaining chocolate and nuts.

Bake for about 25 minutes, until the toppings are golden brown. Let the bars cool in the pan, on a wire rack. It's important to let them cool before cutting into squares.