What’s Cooking with Melissa?

As I’m making my lists of gifts for Christmas, I start thinking about what kind of homemade gifts I’ll be making. This year one semi-homemade gift will be Layered Cookie Bars. By using a cookie mix as the base, this recipe is super easy and quick to make. Best thing about these cookie bars is how great they taste! Don’t forget to make enough for yourself because you won’t want to give them all away!

Layered Cookie Bars

1 1-lb. bag of chocolate chip cookie mix or 1 box of gluten free chocolate chip cookie mix (both work perfectly)

1 egg

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup butterscotch chips (if gluten free be sure to check package)

1 cup chocolate chips

1 cup sweetened flaked coconut

1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, set aside. Stir together the chocolate chip cookie mix, softened butter and egg. Using your hands, press the crumbly dough into the bottom of the baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes. Pour sweetened condensed milk over top of the cookie crust. Next sprinkle the butterscotch chips, chocolate chips, coconut, then the chopped nuts. Bake 25-30 minutes. Coconut will be slightly browned when done. Completely cool then cut into bars.

*White chocolate chips can be used in place of butterscotch or simply add them to the layers!