How to Make the Perfect Magic Cookie Bars
American · Easy · 35 min · 16 servings
These seven layer magic cookie bars are a kid friendly dessert made by layering sweet and colorful toppings over a buttery graham cracker crust and letting sweetened condensed milk do all the work. Kids love choosing their favorite mix ins and watching the layers transform into an irresistible bar cookie in the oven.
Why this recipe works
This Magic Cookie Bars recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 295 calories with 4g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter melted
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 0.5 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 14 ounce sweetened condensed milk
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Graham Cracker Base
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Stir together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until combined. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a parchment lined 9x13 inch baking pan.
Step 2: Layer the Toppings
Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the crust. Add the shredded coconut in an even layer on top of the chips then scatter the chopped nuts over the coconut. Each layer should be as even as possible.
Step 3: Pour the Condensed Milk
Slowly and evenly drizzle the entire can of sweetened condensed milk over all the layers. The condensed milk will seep down through the toppings and bind everything together as it bakes.
Step 4: Bake and Cool
Bake for 25 to 27 minutes until the edges are golden brown and the top is set and lightly caramelized. Cool completely in the pan before lifting out and cutting into bars. The bars firm up as they cool.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- walnuts or pecans → sunflower seeds for a nut free school safe version
- semi sweet chocolate chips → peanut butter chips or butterscotch chips for a different flavor combination
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Cutting the bars while they are still warm which causes them to crumble and fall apart
- Using too little condensed milk which leaves the layers dry and prevents the bars from sticking together properly
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 295 calories, 4g protein, 35g carbs, 16g fat, 2g fiber.
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