Aloha Paradise Bars

These are like a little slice of Hawaii. I got this recipe off the back of a Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix pouch.

1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg
2 cups white vanilla baking chips
1 cup coarsely chopped dried pineapple
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped macadamia nuts
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk (not evaporated)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray bottom only of a 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, stir cookie mix, butter, and egg until soft dough forms. Press dough into bottom of pan.

Bake 15 minutes. Sprinkle with baking chips, pineapple, coconut, and nuts. Drizzle evenly with sweetened condensed milk.

Bake 30-35 minutes longer or until light golden brown. Cool completely. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Almost Candy Bars

I found this recipe on the back of a Pillsbury cake mix box.

1 (18.25 oz) package Devil's Food cake mix
1/2 cup butter
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup coconut, if desired
1 cup chopped nuts
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cake mix and butter with a pastry blender or fork and cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly in bottom of ungreased 15x10x1 baking pan; press lighly.
Sprinkle with chips, coconut, and nuts. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over all ingredients.
Bake for 20-30 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool completely. Cut into bars.

Olivia's Cookies

A good family friend, Lori, makes these at the holidays. They are SO good!

1/2 lb butter
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup sugar
2 cups flour
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 1/3 cups brown sugar
1 lb walnuts, chopped
4 tablespoons flour
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 stick butter
1 package powdered sugar
1 8-oz package cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cream 1/2 pound butter and sugar. Add 2 cups flour and cornstarch. Mix well and pat into a cookie pan. Bake 1t 300 degrees for 30 minutes.

While baking, mix eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, brown sugar, walnuts, 4 tablespoons flour, coconut, and baking powder. Mix together and spread on top of first mixture. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes and 350 degrees for 5 minutes (until brown and crusty on top). Let cool.

Mix stick of butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and spread over cookies. When set, cut into squares (cut small, these are very sweet and rich!) and freeze or store in refigerator, covered.