Magic Cookie Bars with Variations

The classic layered cookie bar everyone loves. So easy, so quick, so good!

Recipe Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 cup (6-ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. In a 13x9x2-inch baking pan, melt butter in oven.
3. Sprinkle crumbs over butter; pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs.
4. Sprinkle with chips then coconut and nuts; press down firmly.
5. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Chill thoroughly, if desired. Cut into bars. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

Makes 24 bars.

Variations:

• Mint Magic Bars: Combine 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and 4 drops green food coloring (if desired) with sweetened condensed milk. Proceed as above.
  
• Mocha Magic Bars: Add 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules and 1 tablespoon chocolate flavored syrup with sweetened condensed milk. Proceed as above.
  
• Peanut Butter Magic Bars: Combine 1/3 cup peanut butter with sweetened condensed milk. Proceed as above.
  
• Maple Magic Bars: Combine 1/2 to 1 teaspoon maple flavoring to sweetened condensed milk. Proceed as above.
  
• Seven Layer Magic Cookie Bars: Add 1 cup (6-ounces) butterscotch flavored chips after chocolate chips. Proceed as above.