Easy Cookie & Dessert Bar Recipes

My grandma is a treasure trove of recipes, and she often sends copies my way. The result is that I have tons of recipes too, and I'm always playing with them to see if I can make them taste better. That means I end up with lots of versions of different recipes. My goal is to simplify as much of a recipe as I can, while still keeping the great flavor.

These are all easy to make, and you can easily let children help you make them. You don’t have to be great at baking for these treats to turn out great. Are you ready to stock up your cookie jar?

Ingredients:

• 1-2/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 2 2/3 cups shredded coconut
• 1 can condensed milk
• 1 cup raspberry jam, seedless
• 1/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
• ½ cup chocolate chips
• ¼ cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

In a small bowl, mix the crumbs and butter together. Press this mixture into a greased 13” x 9” dish.

Sprinkle the crust with coconut, and drizzle it with the milk.

Bake the crust at 350° for 20-25 minutes. Completely cool the crust on a wire rack.

Spread jam over the crust, and sprinkle it with nuts.

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds until melted.

Stir the chocolate until smooth, then drizzle it over the nuts.

Repeat this with the white chocolate chips.

Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, until set. Cut into bars.

Cherry Date Cookies

Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1 can condensed milk
• 2 cups chopped dates
• 2 cups chopped nuts
• 27 candied red or green cherries, halved

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a large bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with the milk, and let it stand for 10 minutes.

Stir in the dates & nuts. The mixture will be very thick.

Drop the dough by tablespoon onto greased cookie sheets, and top each one with half a cherry.

Bake for 12-15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 1 -16 oz. package mini marshmallows
• 1 -11 oz. can mixed nuts or walnuts, chopped
• 2 cups chocolate chips
• 2 cups butterscotch chips
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter

Directions:

Sprinkle the nuts and marshmallows into a greased 13x9 pan.

Melt the chips and peanut butter together, stirring until smooth.

Pour the mixture into the pan.

Let stand for 8 - 10 minutes before gently stirring to coat the marshmallows.

Refrigerate until set, then cut into bars.

Banana Date Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe bananas
• 1 cup chopped dates
• 1/3 cup water
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 cups rolled oats

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400°.

Partially mash the bananas in a medium bowl.

Stir in the remaining ingredients.

Let mixture stand for five minutes.

Drop dough by spoonfuls onto a prepared cookie sheet.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, being careful not to overbake them.