Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour your baking pans.

For cakes: Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.

Pour batter into prepared cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

For cookies: In a large bowl, cream together butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking soda. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets and bake for 9-11 minutes, or until golden brown.

For bars: In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking pan.

Pour sweetened condensed milk over the crumb mixture. Sprinkle with chopped nuts, if desired.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely before cutting into bars.