Fair warning…This week on ShawnsPlate is all about Valentines treats!

Who doesn’t love Magic Cookie Bars?! You know, the bar cookies made popular by Eagle Brand Condensed Milk.  Some people call them Hello Dolly Bars or Seven Layer Cookie Bars.  Whatever you know them as, they’re delicious!

Since I live for Valentines candy displays, I couldn’t help but pick up some M&Ms all dressed up for the holiday.  I figured that I’d add them to some chocolate chip dough.  Realizing that I already had a can of condensed milk, that plan was quickly changed to Magic Cookie Bars.  Although I didn’t have graham crackers, I was able to substitute Oatmeal Praline Granola that I ground in my food processor. YUMMY!

Wrapped and packaged as treats for Alyson and her friends.

Lots of good stuff for these Magic Cookie Bars

Vanilla makes everything better…Stir it into the condensed milk for an even richer taste.

Pour vanilla condensed milk over the crust

Layer everything else over the condensed milk and bake.

Magic Cookie Bars
Adapted ever so slightly from Eagle Brand
Makes 2 dozen

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, I used oatmeal pecan granola
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 can(14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk(not Pet Milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup + 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup candy coated chocolate, I used M&Ms(Valentines Mix)
1 1/2 cups flaked coconut
1 cup pecans, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Use butter or non-stick cooking spray to coat a 13×9-inch baking pan.  Mix cookie crumbs with melted butter to create a crust and press it into the bottom of the prepared pan. Stir vanilla into the condensed milk until completely blended and pour over cookie crust, making sure that it is completely covered.  Evenly sprinkle with 1 cup chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts.  Top with M&Ms and remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips.  Use a fork or back of a spoon to firmly press mixture.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Allow to cool completely before cutting into bars.

For the treat bag I used a small kraft bag, a free-form heart cut from red stock, and raffia.  I folded the bag over 2 inches and used a hole punch for 2 holes in the bag and heart.  Finished by treading raffia to secure.