Sweet Endings

There’s a sweet nostalgia to this old-school treat that is known by many names.

My mom used to whip these up when she wanted a quick dessert for us. The ingredients were always at hand, it took no time, and there was little cleanup involved. And you could switch up the ingredients to suit what you had in the pantry.

They are a sweet and old-school treat and go by many names—Hello Dolly Squares, Magic Bars, Wonder Squares, Seven Layer Bars.

Reminiscing with my sister in Nova Scotia brought them to mind recently. My neighbours and I enjoyed the baked goodies resulting from that conversation.

Cynthia Annett-Hynes

Hello Dolly Squares

Makes 24 squares

½ cup melted butter

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup butterscotch chips (optional)

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup flaked coconut

1 can sweetened condensed milk (396 grams)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking oil, then line with parchment paper, making sure the paper comes up the sides of the pan and extends higher than its depth.

Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl.

Add butter to a mixing bowl with the graham cracker crumbs. Mix with a fork until crumbs are moist with butter. Spread mixture evenly over bottom of prepared baking pan and press into an even base layer.

Sprinkle the toppings over the base, distributing the ingredients evenly. Start with the semi-sweet chocolate chips, then add the butterscotch chips, the pecans, and end with the coconut.

Slowly pour the condensed milk over top, not in the centre but in a steady stream, moving the can back and forth to cover the surface (it will spread out).

Bake 30–35 minutes, until edges start to brown and pull away from sides of the pan.

Let the squares cool completely before lifting out of the pan using the parchment paper. Cut into squares. (You can place squares in the fridge to firm up more before cutting, if desired.)

Store in an airtight container. If storing at room temperature, the squares will be softer and are best eaten within 3 to 5 days. For a firmer, chewier square, store in the fridge for up to a week.

Note: The condensed milk can be added at the beginning, as a layer over the graham cracker base, before adding the toppings. I have found it doesn’t matter when you add it; my mom always added it last.

Switch out butterscotch chips for toffee chips, peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, or mini marshmallows. Switch out the graham cracker crumbs for a cookie crumb base.