Cozy up to a Playhouse Mystery with Dakota Bars (Gluten Free)

Enjoy this tasty recipe for Dakota Bars, this seven layer decadent treat is a Black Hills favorite at Christmas.  I've included the traditional recipe and gluten free alternative...

If you're looking for a stocking stuffer - 'Murder in Custer State Park' is now available on Amazon in Paperback and on Kindle.

Dakota Bars:

Traditional:
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 1/3 cups coconut (shredded)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Place butter in 13 x 9 inch pan and melt in oven. Swirl to coat bottom and sides with butter.
3. Spread graham cracker crumbs evenly over bottom of pan. Layer chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and nuts over crumbs. Pour condensed milk over nuts. Sprinkle coconut over condensed milk.
4. Bake until edges are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool before cutting into bars.

Gluten Free:
1/2 cup unsalted butter or coconut oil
1 1/2 cups gluten free graham cracker crumbs - Kinnickinick S'moreables are a good option.  If you are allergic to soy use a soy-free gingerbread cookie
1 cup Enjoy Life chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 (14 ounce) organic can of sweetened condensed milk
1 1/3 cups shredded coconut. 
(I recommend adding flax meal - 1 tablespoon and 1/2 teaspoon of xanthan gum as a binder)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C).
2. Place butter in 13 x 9 inch pan and melt in oven. Swirl to coat bottom and sides with butter.
3. Spread graham cracker crumbs evenly over bottom of pan. Layer chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, and nuts over crumbs. Pour condensed milk over nuts. Sprinkle coconut over condensed milk.
4. Bake until edges are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Let cool before cutting into bars.