Hello Dolly Bars

If getting ready to go on vacation wasn't stressful enough, I decided I would make a homemade dessert for our trip to the beach.

I always have time for dessert.

And cooking is strangely therapeutic for me in the midst of chaos. Once something delicious has been made, all is right in the world. That could also be attributed to the fact that I like to drink wine while I cook.

I made some Hello Dolly bars. I'd seen the recipe in Southern Living and it reminded me of a dessert my stepmom used to make and the cravings were instantaneous.

It's five simple components: graham cracker crust, chocolate chips, chopped pecans, coconut and condensed milk.

Ty walked into the kitchen to see the five ingredients and turned his nose up in disgust.

"I don't eat desserts with nuts in them."

I told him not to knock it until he tried it.

We packed our bags and Hello Dolly bars and headed to the coast, and by the next morning the Hello Dolly bars had been polished off completely and my husband's opinions had been converted.

Hello (Dolly)!! Never underestimate the persuasive powers of condensed milk. This is such an easy dessert to make and always a crowd favorite. Even for those who don't like nuts!

Hello Dolly Bars

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup melted butter
3 tablespoons sugar
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsels
2/3 cup sweetened flaked coconut
1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

• Preheat oven to 350. Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl. Press mixture onto bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake 8 minutes. Sprinkle pecans, chocolate morsels and coconut over hot crust. Pour condensed milk over top. (Do not stir.)
• Bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned and edges are bubbly. Let cool 1 hour on a wire rack. Cut into bars.