When I was growing up, my sister and brother and I watched as once a year our mom (a professional cake baker) would go into an all day baking frenzy.
There were stacks of cookie trays scattered on the tables and counters and the house would smell incredible. Mom was usually covered in flour and you did not want to mess with her when she was in cookie mode.
She baked for family, friends and neighbors. Each plate had a beautiful heaping variety of cookies, and us kids had the honor of delivering them. We delivered to one neighbor at a time, after each delivery we would run back home to get another platter for the next neighbor. I remember arguing with my siblings over who got to carry each plate. We were so excited and happy to surprise our neighbors, their smiling thank you’s always left us with a wonderful feeling.
After asking mom for a little help, I now have 3 recipes to share with you this season. First up… Hello Dollie bars. A simple layered cookie that is gooey and rich and easy to make. These were my all time favorite and the ones I would try to sneak when mom wasn’t looking!
- 2 cups crushed graham crackers
- 10 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ cup shredded coconut
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a 9"x13" pan, mix the graham crackers and butter, press down to form the first layer.
- Sprinkle on the pecans.
- Sprinkle on the chocolate chips.
- Pour the condensed milk evenly over the chips.
- Sprinkle on the coconut.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.
- Let cool completely! Then cut into bars.
All I can say is “Yum and Thank you!” These Hello Dolly bars are soooo good it makes me happy just thinking about them!
Happy you liked them Nora 🙂
Oh no! These are too yummy! I’m melting into a puddle looking at these!
I know.. wish I still had some left!
I made these last night. They’re very good. I only had unsweetened coconut but things turned out fantastic.
Thanks for posting this! 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Melanie, feels good to know others enjoy the recipes as much as I do!
The cookie bars look absolutely delicious, Sarah, but I love the story about your childhood and memories of your mom’s baking even more. 🙂
Does anyone know how long this takes to cool off completely Id like to make this at work and need to know for timing
Thank you Connie, that is incredibly sweet 🙂
I’ve seen the recipe so many times, but never have I seen it called by the name I grew up with – Hello Dollies! This was one of my Mom’s favorite recipes. Happy times…
These came out so good. My husband enjoyed it very much. Thank you for sharing the recipe 🙂
These look delicious! Any recommendation for storing them? Are they okay to freeze?
Just wondering is that Sweetened or Unsweetened Shredded Coconut?
Wonderful Ritu, thank you for sharing!
I think either is fine, I use sweetened.