Happy Fourth of July! Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve loved this holiday more than any other. There’s something about how the summer sun melts into a firework-filled night sky that continues to captivate me year after year. Of course, it also happens to be the perfect opportunity to bake for family and friends – a best-loved holiday tradition – in the shade of red, white and blue. So before you call it a night, add a dash of patriotism to your menu with this simple recipe that comes together in a pinch. It’s a crowd pleaser that’ll be gone before you even have a chance to sing “Happy Birthday America.”

Independence Day Layer Bars

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

3/4 cup coconut flakes, sweetened

1 14-oz can sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup dried blueberries, sweetened

1/2 cup dried cranberries, sweetened

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Melt stick of butter in microwavable bowl (about 1 minute depending on power level).

Add graham cracker crumbs and mix until coated.

Pour butter/graham cracker crumb mixture into bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Use clean hands or the back of a spatula to push mixture into a compact crust.

Sprinkle coconut flakes evenly over graham cracker crust.

Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over coconut flakes.

Sprinkle dried blueberries, cranberries and white chocolate chips evenly over sweetened condensed milk.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until edges are golden brown.

Slice into squares once cooled. Served with a dollop of cool whip or small scoop of ice cream and fresh berries, if desired.

Enjoy- from my kitchen to yours!

xx C&L