Cowboy Bars

These 7-layer bars reminded Chris of a yummy dessert we had at a fun place in Northern Cali called Comforts (a favorite of Sean Penn's). They are also highly addictive. Recipe from America's Test Kitchen.

Cowboy Bars

Makes 18

1 C. sweetened flaked coconut
1 stick unsalted butter
9 graham crackers, crushed in a large ziploc bag
1 C. finely chopped walnuts
1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C. white chocolate chips
1/2 C. swirled chocolate chips
(or butterscotch chips, but i don't like those)
1 (14-oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350. Spray a 9 by 13 pan with nonstick cooking spray. Fold two pieces of foil or parchment paper so that one measures 13 inches wide and the other 9 inches wide. Lay sheets in pan, perpendicular to each other, pressing into the corners, then spray again.

Spread coconut onto baking sheet and bake til just beginning to brown, about 8 minutes. Set aside. Melt butter and mix with crushed graham crackers. Spread crushed crackers in pan. In order, sprinkle the walnuts, semisweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, swirled chocolate ships, and coconut over the graham cracker crumbs. Pour the condensed milk over the entire dish.

Return pan to oven and bake til top is golden brown, about 25 minutes. Cool on wire rack to room temp, about two hours. Remove bars from pan using the foil handles and transfer to cutting board. Using a sharp knife, cut into 2x3 inch bars.