In high school and college, I was involved with various community service groups. After I graduated, I moved my focus from big, group activities to things I could do on my own to make the world a better place. One of my current favorite organizations to support is Operation Baking GALS. Each month, volunteer bakers sign up to bake and ship homemade goodies to soldiers deployed in a war zone. Every month, it’s the opportunity to try out some new recipes and ship them to some very deserving people.

Bar cookies are one of my favorite things to make for Operation Baking GALS boxes because they ship so well. These had the added bonus of being ridiculously easy to make. I always send multiple treats in my boxes, so it’s nice to have some quick ones in the mix!

Monster Magic Cookie Bars
(from Something Swanky)

9 full graham crackers
4 T. butter, melted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 c. old fashioned oats
3/4 c. mini M&Ms
3/4 c. mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Grease a 9×13″ baking pan and line with parchment.

Crush graham crackers into crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin. Mix in melted butter until well-combined. Press crumbs into lined baking dish.

Evenly pour the sweetened condensed milk over the graham cracker layer. Sprinkle the oats, M&Ms and chocolate chips evenly over the sweetened condensed milk. Gently press in a little.

Bake for 30 minutes or until browned and pulling away from the edges of the pan. Let cool completely before cutting.