Hello Dollies are a classic square or slice made with nuts, chocolate and dried fruit. They are incredibly decadent and taste as though they were professionally made at a bakery, but you can make these quickly and easily in your own kitchen.
Why are these delicious treats called Hello Dollies? Most likely, it is from a recipe published in a food column around 1965 while the musical Hello, Dolly! was enjoying its reign as the longest running musical in history. Following the practice of naming cakes after British monarchy, food columnist Clementine Paddleford named this recipe, submitted by a reader, after the popular musical.
The classic recipe is made with walnuts and milk chocolate, while I have made a white chocolate version that is just as indulgent and takes place as a favourite treat with many friends and family. Every time I bring these squares to a gathering, everyone begs for the recipe!
White Hello Dollies Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive cookie finely crumbed)
- 1 cup dried cranberries (sweetened or unsweetened)
- 1 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (about 300 ml)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350F/180C. Line a square 8x8 pan with baking paper.
- In a saucepan, gently melt the butter over low heat. Be careful not to let it boil.
- Remove from heat and stir in graham cracker crumbs until well blended.
- Press crumb mixture firmly into pan and chill for at least 20 minutes to help set the base.
- Sprinkle cranberries, macadamias and chocolate evenly on top of crumb base.
- Pour condensed milk over everything and let it settle evenly throughout.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the milk is golden brown on top.
- Let cool before cutting into squares.
It is crucial to layer the toppings is the above order to allow the condensed milk to seep through--otherwise, it may fail to spread throughout the toppings and the square will crumble when cut. Allowing the butter to boil will likely cause the base to crumble instead of being hard and crunchy. These squares freeze very well so you can take a few out when company drops by unexpectedly.
Classic Hello Dollies
The classic Hello Dollies recipe is similar to the above recipe, except substitute the cranberries, macadamia nuts and white chocolate with coconut, walnuts and milk or dark chocolate. Follow all other instructions as outlined in the traditional recipe above.
What you will love about this recipe is how easy it is to prepare--no creaming, blending or folding--with simple ingredients, and the result is a rich, chocolatey anytime treat!
Brooke Van Beek - Brooke Van Beek is an English and History teacher and mother of two. She has lived and worked in Canada, the United Kingdom and ...
