Mud Hen Bars
Indulge in rich, gooey Mud Hen Bars, a decadent dessert featuring layers of buttery crust, chocolate, shredded coconut, nuts, and caramel made from sweetened condensed milk. These bars offer a perfect balance of textures and flavors that delight every sweet tooth and are easy to make with pantry staples.
- Author: Barbara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free graham crackers)
Crust
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Layers
- 1 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a baking dish. In a bowl, mix melted butter, graham cracker crumbs, and granulated sugar until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press this evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a firm crust.
- Layer the Nuts, Coconut, and Chocolate: Evenly sprinkle the chopped nuts, shredded coconut, and chocolate chips over the crust, creating distinct layers for balanced flavors and textures.
- Pour the Condensed Milk: Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the layered ingredients, which will melt during baking to form a sticky, caramel-like layer.
- Bake Until Golden: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the edges are bubbly. Watch closely to avoid overbaking.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to let the layers set properly. Once cool, cut into squares or rectangles for serving.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded coconut and high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor.
- Press the crust mixture firmly into the pan to ensure a sturdy base that holds together well when sliced.
- Distribute nuts, coconut, and chocolate chips evenly to avoid clumping and to ensure consistent flavor in every bite.
- Keep a close eye while baking; overbaking can dry out the bars, so remove them as soon as the top is golden.
- Cool completely before slicing to allow bars to hold their shape and avoid crumbling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (based on 16 bars)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
Keywords: Mud Hen Bars, chocolate bars, coconut dessert, caramel bars, easy bars recipe, layered dessert, gooey bars