Bombshell Bars

Are you scared? Yes, well, maybe you should be. What they lack in looks, they make up for in dazzling flavor that promises to draw a crowd.  And, they are better than brownies.

My friend, Michala came over with the original recipe. While the kids played, we mommies got to bake. We changed things up a bit, because that’s what people do in my kitchen. Smoked almonds were the craziest thing we did, but proved their worth with a subtle salty punch and hint of campfire smoke. Then, the oven did the rest of the work. Something like magic happened in there when ordinary sweetened condensed milk turned into a chewy, gooey, dulce de leche-like thing. These bars are quick to make, bake and disappear.

 

Bombshell Bars
Fills a 13×9 baking dish
Prep: 5 mins
Oven: 350*F
Bake: 25 mins

Ingredients
1 stick butter, softened
1 1/2 cups graham crackers
14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup nuts
pinch coarse sea salt

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350*F.
Butter a 13×9 baking pan. Set aside.
Melt butter. Set aside.
Put graham crackers into a plastic bag, seal and use a rolling pin to give them a good bashing.
Pour melted butter into the bag and squish so the crumbs absorb the butter.
Press gently into baking pan.
Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over graham cracker layer.
Top with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts.
Transfer to hot oven and bake 25 mins til golden brown.
Cool and cut into squares.
Store in an airtight container at room temp, if there’s any left!

Thanks to Michala, my mind is finally clear of brownies, but preoccupied with a new obsession. Forget what you know about blondies, brownies, chews, and squares. You now have the blueprints to make the bombshell of all bars. If ever there was a time I wish I could just reach through my computer monitor and give you a slice of something, it is now. But, I can’t. So, you must fend for yourself.