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Cookie time!

December 15, 2011 by Mary Frances 12 Comments

So my boys definitely think this is “the most wonderful time of the year” because I bake at least 5 different kinds of Christmas cookies. I’ve got it down pat now. It takes me two days. Three kinds in one day and then the two harder batches – the family pecan crisps and the sugar cookies – on the other day.

Most are my Mom’s recipes, this one included with a really stupid name. But the cookies are really, really good. Okay, so the recipe calls for processed things, usually a no-no for me, but at Christmas, I give in. Here goes.

Date bars with chocolate and coconut on a white plate.

HELLO DOLLY SQUARES (I told you the name was lame)
Makes 40 bars

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups of graham cracker crumbs (about 1 1/2 packs, grind in food processor)
1 – 14 oz. can of Eagle Brand or Magnolia sweetened condensed milk
1 – 6 oz. package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 – 3 1/2 oz. can of flaked coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the stick of butter in a 13” x 9” glass Pyrex pan, and put in the oven. Watch it so that the butter just melts and doesn’t boil. Remove pan with the melted butter from oven and swirl around, up the sides of the pan 1/2 inch, and set on a level surface. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs evenly all over the bottom surface. Pour the Eagle Brand milk evenly all over the crumbs. Top evenly with the coconut, chocolate chips and chopped nuts. Press down gently on the top surface.

Bake for 25 – 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool thoroughly before cutting. Store in a wax paper lined tin at room temperature.

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Filed Under: Desserts Tagged With: bar cookies, Christmas cookies, coconut, easy cookies, graham crackers, Hello Dolly Squares, pecans, sweetened condensed milk

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Comments

  1. lani doktori says

    December 15, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    these look like the perfect and easy cookie for company during the holiday times.
    can they be frozen well?

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      December 15, 2011 at 6:46 PM

      You know, we’ve never done that – they get eaten too quickly in my house – but I bet they would freeze nicely.

      Reply
  2. Joan Jolly says

    December 15, 2011 at 2:28 PM

    My Mom calls them Drizzle Bars – however, most everyone knows them as Hello Dolly Squares – at least in St. Louis. Nothing better than Eagle Brand Condensed Milk. My recipe is exactly the same which came from my Mom. xo

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      December 15, 2011 at 6:45 PM

      So do you know where the name “Hello Dolly” came from?

      Reply
  3. Lucinda Ames says

    November 2, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    We always called these Magic Squares and they were tremendously popular when I was a young bride. However, we didn’t add the nuts. THey are delicious!

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      November 2, 2012 at 10:38 AM

      Oh you gotta add the nuts – try it!

      So it seems this cookie was popular everywhere? You grew up here on the East Coast, right?

      Reply
  4. mmmarzipan says

    November 19, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    Oh yum! These look lovely! 🙂

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 13, 2013 at 11:24 AM

      Thanks!! They are yummy!

      Reply
  5. LittleTallie says

    May 4, 2013 at 4:25 AM

    These look lovely, may I ask what graham cracker crumbs are? I don’t think I’ve heard of them before.

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      May 13, 2013 at 11:24 AM

      You can find them in large grocery stores – made by Nabisco. They are slightly sweet flat crackers made with graham flour.

      Reply
  6. apuginthekitchen says

    October 30, 2013 at 5:30 PM

    Adding this to my holiday cookie list. Sounds delicious and super easy!
    apuginthekitchen recently posted…Awesome Salsa, Empanadas And A Giveaway!My Profile

    Reply
    • Mary Frances says

      October 30, 2013 at 6:36 PM

      They are!! And – good for any time of year!

      Reply

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