Ooey Gooey Layered Bars

Last June, when I was visiting Kelly, we baked together and one of the bars we made were 7-layer Bars.  These bars became popular in the late 50s and 60s when I grew up.  My mother would bake these wonderful bars, but we called them Conga Bars...why, I don't know.  I've pumped up the flavors and decided to rename my bars Ooey Gooey Layered Bars.  The ooey gooey comes from a play session I had with Ari when I made up a batch of "play dough".  I told him to put his hands into the dough and when he did, I exclaimed, "ooey gooey!"  He giggled so hard and his laughter filled the house that Kelly came in from the living room to see what was so funny.  Her "boys" as she would call Matt and Ari, made us all laugh and we loved the silliness they added to what would be very serious at times with cancer.  I needed to laugh today and share a memory. 

Ooey Gooey Layered Bars

5 cups graham cracker crumbs *
1 cup melted butter
2 cups chocolate chips**
2 cups sweetened coconut
2 cans-14oz. Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 1/2 cups chopped toasted Pecans, optional

*I didn't have 5 cups graham cracker crumbs.  Oh, I suppose I could have baked up a batch of graham crackers, but instead I saw a box of Girl Scout Do-si-dos cookies my husband had bought while I was away in Taiwan.  I used one package, ground in the food processor.  Try any of your favorite cookies ground to equal the amount needed.
**I used 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup butterscotch chips,  try mixing up your favorite assortment.

Butter a 9" x 13" baking pan.  Line the bottom with parchment.  Preheat oven 325F-degrees.  In a glass bowl mix the crumbs with the melted butter, then, press into the prepared pan.

Sprinkle the chips over the crumbs, then, sprinkle with the coconut.  Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the the mixture.  If you're using nuts, sprinkle over top.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes until the top is a golden brown.

Let cool 30 minutes.  Run a straight spatula or knife around the edges.  If you used a springform baking pan, like I did, remove the sides.  Cool an additional two hours before cutting into squares.  Enjoy and share the laughter!