CHERRY-COCONUT SLICES

My mother got this recipe from a woman named Emmie Oddie, a well-known home economist in Canada who had a column in a farming newspaper. She would test reader recipes in her own kitchen and write about them. These tasty bites are so rich that you only need a small one.

—JUDY OLSON WHITECOURT, AB


PREP: 15 MIN. + CHILLING • COOK: 5 MIN. + COOLING • MAKES: 32 BARS

3 cups graham cracker crumbs

1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 cup unsweetened finely shredded coconut

1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

1 teaspoon maple flavoring

FROSTING

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup butter, cubed

1/4 cup 2% milk

1 cup confectioners’ sugar

1. In a large bowl, mix cracker crumbs, marshmallows, coconut and cherries; stir in condensed milk and flavoring. Press into a greased 8-in. square baking pan.

2. For frosting, in a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 3 minutes. Transfer mixture to a small bowl; cool until lukewarm, about 15 minutes. Stir in confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Spread over crumb mixture; refrigerate until set, about 1 1/2 hours.

3. Cut into bars. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

NOTE Look for unsweetened coconut in the baking or health food section.