Okay, here’s where you don’t forgive me
Remember when I told you about that crack popcorn from Garrett’s? I ordered some for my friend Carolyn a few weeks ago, and couldn’t resist getting myself some, too. True to form, I found myself inhaling it within two minutes of the FedEx man dropping it off. I was having so many bowls of it, one after another (and remember: it’s a handful of caramel, a handful of cheese, repeat until you’ve built a mountain o’ love), my fingers were orange and my heart rate was off the charts.
So I did the only sensible thing I could do: I set the popcorn tin out in the alley next to the dumpster, and yes, the next morning it was gone, and not because the garbage men came. People see the tin, and it’s like finding a hundred dollar bill. But better.
So anyway, even though I’m free of the lure of Garrett’s, and I beg of you not to order any yourself or you’ll be sorry (or else joyful, depending on your ability to pace yourself), I’m going to turn you on to another potential crack treat, and I’m telling you in advance that I’m very, very sorry, because you won’t be able to rest until you’ve eaten them all.
So here they are, formally known as Hello Dollies, but known by my friends and family as Heroin Bars:
1 pkg graham crackers (approx. 8-10 crackers), finely crushed
3/4 stick of butter, melted
1 cup coconut (optional, but it really makes these great)
1 pkg (6 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 pkg (6 oz) butterscotch chips
1 cup walnuts or pecans
1 can sweetened condensed milk
Put the graham crackers in a plastic bag, crush with rolling pin. Pour graham crackers into 9 1/2 x 11 cake pan, add melted butter, stir until all the graham crackers are moist. Pat graham crackers into even layer on bottom of pan.
Add in even layers: coconut (optional, but only with a note from your mom), chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts. Pour sweetened condensed milk as evenly as possible over the top.
Bake at 350 for approx 25 minutes. Let cool before cutting, but not too much or they’ll be hard. Store in airtight container (either hard plastic or large ziploc bag, using waxed paper to keep layers from sticking together.
Tastes fabulous hot and chewy from the oven, but even better cold from the fridge.
I make multiple batches of these every Christmas and give them to my addicted family and friends, who both hate me and love me for it. May you have a similar experience.
And if you decide to make these, please report back and tell me how it went.
Technorati Tags: Hello Dollies, Chocolate Bars, Dessert Bars, Dessert Recipes, Chocolate Recipes
December 20th, 2006 at 8:18 am
Robin, as a life long member of Trans Fat Anonymous, I both sympathize and admire your work with that cheese/caramel popcorn (may I recommend the potato chip/Hershey’s kisses combo next?) I am volunteering to be your sponsor so next time the urge hits, please call me. I will either help you to step away from the forbidden substance, or I’ll help you polish it off.
By the way, the recipe sounds delicious-would you recommend cheese doodles (the curly ones I mean) or BBQ potato chips as an accompaniment?
December 20th, 2006 at 8:47 am
Deborah, I can see that you would be a very, very bad friend for me to have. I hope we never ever meet.
That said, what wonderful combos you’ve listed here. I both love them and run from them. Please don’t tempt me. (By the way, BBQ chips for SURE.)
December 20th, 2006 at 9:58 am
Hahaha… yesterday I was craving trail mix so I went to the drugstore to buy some. Only, they didn’t sell the kind with the M&Ms in them, so I had to buy a bag of trail mix and a bag of M&Ms then mix them all up! It was fantabulous!!
December 20th, 2006 at 11:11 am
Hmmm… my post seems kind of random, but I was thinking about the popcorn and how you take one scoop of cheese and one scoop of caramel… and I thought of my trail mix and me mixing one bag of M&Ms with one bag of trail mix… Hahaha! It made perfect sense in my head!!
December 20th, 2006 at 11:47 am
Your post didn’t seem random at all, Christen. I understood you perfectly. It’s all about indulgence. I’m glad I’m off of chocolate right now, because I would have been right there with you on the trail mix–one of my particular downfalls.
December 20th, 2006 at 12:21 pm
I don’t understand how they cam sell the trail mix *without* the M&Ms… that is totally unacceptable to me!!
December 20th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Totally agree. The whole point of trail mix is it seems so healthy (peanuts, raisins), but then you get that kick of chocolate in every handful. Selling without the M&Ms is a crime against nature and humanity.
December 23rd, 2006 at 10:09 pm
In Albuquerque they have a store that sells popcorn in these ridiculous flavors like Strawberry and Swiss cheese. I personally go for Sour Apple and Caramel, hence creating my favorite carnival treat. It is definitely one of those foods I pass off on my boyfriend, and say “EAT” in the most demanding tone I can muster so he’ll get it away from me. Sometimes it works, and sometimes I find myself in a power battle over the food I’ve already given to him. Well, we all can’t be sane. If we were all normal, how could we tell who the crazy ones were?