Monster Magic 7-Layer Bars

Let's talk Summer for a min, shall we?

I really love the lazier days of the school's out season. No making lunch at night. No homework. No rushing in the morning. Being able to go on a day trip on a whim. Swimming and the general do-whatever-you-want attitude. I can even handle the heat, because I know that it only lasts a few months. Plus, there's A/C. So pretty much, summer is all great.

Except for the dishes.

And the clutter.

And oh my god the attitude.

Let me explain.

About a week ago I found myself with a full dishwasher for the second time in two days. I was confused.

Then I looked at the kitchen table, where there sat a juice glass, a plate, a bowl, and empty string cheese wrapper, and a wadded up napkin from lunch three hours before.

Beyond the dishes, into the family room, Jordan sat, on the couch, headphones on, using the iPad. Around her was a tornado of pillows and blankets, all strewn around the floor because these items are not allowed to share her air, obvi.

On the coffee table was a full art kit, open, with pens all over the table, paper spread out to every corner. When I looked behind the couch I noticed an upended bottle of glue sitting on the carpet and scissors strewn about.

And I had an epiphany.

Summer is work. It's 24 hours a day, all day, every day, seven days a week for two and a half months.

Or, 35 runs of the dishwasher.

And my sanity.

To calm myself, I made you some 7-layer bars. But not just any 7-layer bars. Magical monster ones.

Last week, Heather, at French Press made Peanut Butter and Chocolate 7-layer Bars. The second I saw that post, and I mean the second, I knew had to make these. I dreamed about them all night long, got up, and made them at 7am the next day.

{And...I was probably channeling Ashton who made these awhile ago...}

I had Nutter Butters in my pantry (are you surprised?) I had earmarked them for another recipe, but, I kid you not, Shelly at Cookies & Cups made almost the exact recipe I had been planning. So I wanted to find a new use for my favorite cookie.

That's layer one: a Nutter Butter crust. Layers two through seven include chocolate and peanut butter chips, nuts, pretzels, M&Ms, and, of course, the best thing in the entire world, sweetened condensed milk.

These are very rich bars. You can eat more than one, but you may want to pace yourself. Believe me, I know. Serve them up with a glass of milk.

With a side of sanity and a dash of prayer that school starts soon.

Monster Magic 7-Layer Bars

by Crazy for Crust 

Ingredients

• 20 Nutter Butters or other peanut butter sandwich cookie
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup nuts (I used pecans), coarsely chopped
• 1 package chocolate chips
• 1 cup peanut butter chips
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped pretzels
• 1 cup M&Ms
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 9x13” pan with parchment paper.
2. Finely crush cookies in a food processor. Mix with melted butter and press into prepared pan.
3. Sprinkle chocolate chips, nuts, peanut butter chips, pretzels, and M&Ms evenly over the top of the crust. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top of the bars.
4. Bake for about 25 minutes, until edges begin to brown. Cool Completely before cutting.

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Enjoy, and thanks for reading!




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