It is Tablescape Thursday once again, hosted by Susan at Between Naps On The Porch. I am never going to be fancy in my table settings. There is Robert in the window working on my deck.
I found the dessert plate, or maybe they’re salad plates, I don’t really know, at my favorite consignment shop down the street. Rega Of Paris. When I turned them over, I saw that they were from William-Sonoma. I don’t think they carry this line any longer. But I bought the six piece set for $15. Another half-price bargain at Kate’s shop.
For napkins I have various vintage white handkerchiefs tied with ribbon. The centerpiece is a bowl I found at an estate sale about a year ago. The crocheted piece in the middle was made for me long ago by a talented neighbor.
Here are four of the six plates:
Today I am serving one of my favorite desserts, one I’ve been making ever since my children were young and still at home. They are called “Hello Dolly Cookies.” I think of them more as bars, but then it isn’t my recipe.
The secret to this dessert is that you never stir the ingredients. You’ll see what I mean.
Hello Dolly Cookies:
1 stick butter or margarine; 1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs (I take the wafers and pound them into crumbs with something like a meat mallet.) 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1 cup flaked coconut; 1 cup chopped nuts (I use pecans). And last but not least, 1 can sweetened condensed milk. I use Eagle Brand.
In shallow 13 x 9 inch cake pan, melt butter. Sprinkle evenly over it the vanilla wafer crumbs. Then drop evenly across the surface your chocolate chips, then your coconut, then your nuts. Over all this pour sweetened condensed milk. DO NOT STIR. Bake 30 minutes in 350 degree preheated oven. Cool slightly, then mark into small squares. About 1 to 2 inches, for these are quite rich. Leave cookies in pan. When cold, cover with foil, film or waxed paper. Refrigerate over night.
Just for reference, this is what it looks like just before you add the can of Eagle Brand.
Then this is what it looks like after you add it. Not trying to be redundant here. But to emphasize that you do not stir anything!
This is what it looks like fresh from the oven, and before it is cut into squares. Yummy! And yes, Robert the very talented carpenter was taken a hot dessert square for an afternoon snack.
Thanks again to Susan for hosting this delightful weekly event, Tablescape Thursday. Click on over there and you will have the pleasure of viewing many unique tablescapes from very talented bloggers.
I love your cozy little house. You inspire me.
Morning, Brenda! I love your table. Those plates are just wonderful! I crochet and really do appreciate that doily! It’s lovely! Great job!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia
Love your table…the yellow and green and white… are so pretty together! Happy Tablescape Thursday ~ Susan
I haven’t had those bars in over 20 years! I remember they were so good and so easy to make!
What a great deal on the dishes! It’s always great to turn it over and see Williams & Sonoma on the back…at least you know it sold for a lot more at one time! I remember how happy I was when I saw that on my soup tureens!
Oh…it all looks so beautiful. Can I come?!?!
Great find on those plates as well and the hubby in the yard working on the deck….great image!
I love the WS plates! Great buy. Your table looks so great with the whites and greens.
Hi Brenda, Love the dishes- I know you felt good getting a great bargain! I love Hello Dolly Bars aka 7 layer bars. Easy peasy yummy bars that I always seem to make at Christmas time. I love them when they are warm…. Hugs, Sue
Pretty table setting! The bars look yummy! I’ll have to write down the recipe so I can make it for my family.
Happy Thursday!
Sandra
Brenda, these bars look GREAT! Love your cute plates, too, and the crochet on the napkins. For a magpie, there is nothing like a bargain on a shiny object… be it china or metal!
XO,
Sheila
ooops……still a nice image!
I love those plates, Brenda! The dessert looks delicious.
I didn’t do a tablescape this week. I just did Foodie Friday. Busy trying to plan a get together with a couple of old school friends, who are now “itching” to meet in St Charles again, after seeing my Outdoor Wednesday post!
Oh my goodness! I have the very same recipe, and the cookies on my version are called “Hello Dolly Bars!” My son made them at school with the school’s community service coordinator (my son was 10 at the time). My kids really enjoy making them, as it is such an easy (and delicious) recipe. =)
I haven’t had those bars since I was a kid! Now I will have to make them. Thanks! And what a great find on your plates. Don’t you love when that happens? Great table.
Hi Brenda,
You got a deal on those plates and they look perfect with you cheerful style of décor. My guess is they are meant to be salad plates since they have vegetables on them. They really are lovely. Concerning the wickedly, delicious, sinful desert treat one that is quick and easy is definitely my type of recipe. ~Cathy~
Brenda, fun seeing Robert working away on that new deck! Those cookies/bars sound awesome; I might have to try that recipe.
Brenda, what pretty dishes and what a deal! Thanks for dropping by my place and I’m surely glad I came by yours!
Brenda, Your cookie bars are making me want to jump ship from my dieting today:) I love a quick recipe that I can whip up in no time flat especially when I am at the beach. Your plates are darling. Thanks for sharing your day with me.
Joyce
I don’t know if my comment went through………
Ok, it didn’t. I said that I am so glad you directed me here to your decorating blog! I subscribed so can now follow this too! LOVE your plates. I ahve some similiar ones I inherited from my MIL. I will have to post them for Susan’s TT soon! Hugs, Pinky
great tablescape and I’m coming over for some dessert! Oh my that looks so good!
Have a great weekend,
LuLu
Brenda, perfectly simple and absolutely gorgeous. 6 Williams sonoma plates for $15? Girl, I need to take you shopping so you can give me pointers. I love the fruit bowl with the veggie plates. They just belong together. I have clipped the Hello Dolly squares recipe. I have three little granddaughters that are going to love these. Well, maybe Grammy and Grandpa will like them too. (I’m sure!)
Cheers!
Sue.
Love the dishes, so pretty..And the bars look delicious!
Lovely veggie plates, Brenda! And that dessert looks so good. I will copy the recipe and try it. Thanks…Christine
Mmmmm….that looks so good!
~Michelle
Hi Brenda,
This looks so yummy and easy enough even for me. I like that you keep saying don’t stir because that’s the kind of direction I need (really!) otherwise I may forget. Those dishes from Williams-Sonoma are lovely – you did good. Have a good long weekend.
xo~Tracie
That green bowl…I recognize the pattern but it’s escaping me right this minute. Beautiful. I love to use old dishes. To me, they’ve more life than the new.