Hello Dollies

     I have no idea why these delicious little bars are called Hello Dollies. I only know that they are some-kinda-good.  When I was growing up, my best friend's mom had a housekeeper named Estella.  She would sometimes make these on Friday afternoons while she was at their house cleaning for the weekend.  I always loved going home with her and smelling the delicious buttery, sugary, chocolaty goodness wafting through the house.  We couldn't get to the kitchen fast enough to gobble a couple of these down.  They are easy to make and everyone loves them.

For the crust:
1 1/4 c. graham cracker crumbs
6 T. butter, melted
1/4 c. sugar

1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 c. sweetened, flaked coconut
1 c. pecans, chopped
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Make the graham cracker crust by mixing together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and melted butter. Stir it together until it looks crumbly, then press it into a greased, 9x9 metal pan.

Bake the crust at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until it gets slightly brown.  You will smell it when it is ready, trust me.

                                           Now you can begin layering the other ingredients...

First, the chocolate chips

Next, the coconut

Now, add the pecan pieces

As if this wasn't yummy enough already, pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top. As it bakes, the condensed milk will caramelize and act as a binder to hold all of the other ingredients together. I used the fat free version, just to make myself feel better about it, but you can also use the regular version.  Whatever makes you happy.

Now, pop it into the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, until it is a soft, caramel brown color. 

Oh, My Goodness.  Can you smell that?  It is incredible.   If you can, resist the urge to get a spoon and dig right in.  Let it cool on a wire rack completely before cutting into squares, otherwise, they will not hold together when you remove them from the pan.

                                                        Yum!  It's time to eat.  Here's to you, Estella.