[May 26, 2010] Sugar Buzz: Seven Layer Bars Tweet May 26, 2010 (The Island Packet - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Editor's note: Sugar Buzz columnist Hannah H. Carroll makes easy dessert recipes, serves them to co-workers and writes about the result. Memorial Day marks the official start of summer picnic season. Invitations to backyard barbecues and holiday potlucks are soon to follow. For such occasions, I like to bring something sweet that offers a change of pace from the expected dessert table lineup. I look for desserts that are easy to make, easy to transport, hold up well in the heat and, of course, taste delicious. Seven Layer Bars -- also known as Magic Bars and Hello Dollys -- fit the bill. You've probably had a version of Seven Layer Bars sometime in your life. I was reminded of the sweet and sticky treat at this year's Bluffton Village Festival when I talked to someone who was eating one. And, as it often happens, once I got it in my mind, I had to make them. Preparation: It's a snap, which is likely why they've been around for years. Besides melting the butter (and processing the graham crackers if you don't have the pre-ground crumbs), all you have to do is layer the ingredients and put them in the oven. Taste: Seven Layer Bars are rich, sweet and chewy. The butterscotch chips provide a flavor you don't experience every day. As a coconut lover, I enjoy the toasted flakes on the top. But many of the tasters who don't like coconut ended up liking these bars, saying the flavor wasn't cloying. These bars can be customized to fit a variety of tastes, so get creative. Some variations include trading butterscotch chips for peanut butter chips, adding a cup of white chocolate chips and changing the nut variety. Next time around I'll stick with the same recipe, but -- on the advice of a few testers -- I'll chill the bars in the refrigerator before serving to make them chewier. The bottom line: Seven Layer Bars are at once familiar and a nice alternative to the same old potluck standbys. They're simple to make, chewy and delicious. Hannah's rating: 4 stars Hannah H. Carroll is the assistant features editor for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette, and enjoys making desserts for her family and friends. STRAIGHT FROM THE TASTER'S MOUTH "There's not a thing that goes wrong when you put coconut and chocolate together." Jeff Vrabel, editor of the Guide, 4 stars "It reminds me of a lighter Samoa (Girl Scout Cookie)." Andy Carpenter, copy editor, 4 stars "I'm not a big coconut fan but it's not overbearing at all." Drew Martin, photo editor, 4 stars "I usually eat them cold. I like them chewier." Kyla Calvert, news reporter, 4 stars The samplers: 16 employees of The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette The scale: 1 star = Ewww! 5 stars = Seconds, please! SUBMIT YOUR RECIPE Have an interesting dessert recipe for Hannah's next experiment? Send it to [email protected]. TRY IT AT HOME We want to know what YOU think of Seven Layer Bars -- yum or yuck? Make the bars at home and give us your verdict at islandpacket.com/blogalacarte. To see more of The Island Packet, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.islandpacket.com. Copyright (c) 2010, The Island Packet, Hilton Head Island, S.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]