Genki's Luscious Cookie Bars

Genki's Luscious Cookie Bars:
This is a recipe which I modified to make it lower in fat and tastier, too!

1/4 cup butter or margarine (1/2 stick)
1/4 cup applesauce
3/4 cup crushed graham crackers
3/4 cup instant oats
1 can (14 oz) sweetened-condensed milk (NOT evaporated milk)
2 cups (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/3 cups sweetened, shredded coconut
1 cup chopped nuts, if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (325 degrees for glass dish). In 13 x 9 inch pan (brownie sized pan), melt the butter in the oven. Remove from oven, and stir in applesauce. Spread combo evenly over the bottom of the pan.

Mix graham crackers and oats, then sprinkle evenly over butter mixture. Pour condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture (it's a little hard since it sticks to the mixture, so try warming the condensed milk a bit to make it a little easier to spread). Top with chocolate chips, coconut, and nuts (if desired), then press down firmly with a fork.

Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. May chill if desired. Cut into bars and serve.

Variations:

May substitute chocolate graham crackers or crushed Oreo cookies for an even more decadent treat.

Try using dried cranberries and coconut with your choice of nuts.

Can also substitute and/or add raisins, M&M's, mini marshmallows, white chocolate, or butterscotch chips.