Easy Magic Cookie Bars
Magic Cookie Bars are exactly as described – magical! A buttery graham cracker crust is topped with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, coconut flakes and walnuts. There’s a little something in there for everyone!
Magic Cookie Bars
What are Magic Cookie Bars? Magic. Heaven. Bliss. Need I say more?! Okay, in a literal sense, Magic Cookie Bars are simply dessert bars that are almost impossible to mess up. A butter and graham cracker crumb crust is topped with sweetened condensed milk and an array of sweet ingredients that you can swap for alternatives as needed. It’s customizable, easy to make, and always satisfy. Magical!
You’ve likely had a Magic Cookie Bar (or several) at a holiday cookie exchange, where they’re at their most popular! They also go by the name Hello Dolly Bars and Seven Layer Bars. While they’re a notable cookie exchange delicacy, there’s nothing exceptionally Christmas-y about these bars, so you can make them all year round. After a few bites of a perfectly baked bar, you’ll be inclined to do just that. They’re impossible not to crave time and time again. They’re one of my all-time favorite recipes.
Like I mentioned, these are 7-layer bars of heaven that can be adapted to anyone’s taste. Don’t care for coconut? Leave it out. Not a fan of nuts? Leave them out. If you like white chocolate, you can add that in or substitute it for semisweet chips. The sky’s the limit with this easy Magic Bar recipe! Simply layer the ingredients of your choice, bake for about half an hour, and enjoy.
Ingredients You Will Need
- Graham Crackers – I like to use graham cracker crumbs ready to go to make this recipe even easier but you can use regular graham crackers and crush them in a food processor or in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin. Gluten free graham cracker crumbs work well, too!
- Butter – Melted butter helps hold the graham cracker crust together, I like to use salted butter but you can substitute with unsalted butter, if you prefer.
- Condensed Milk – Sweetened condensed milk is the magic that holds this bar together. It’s sweet and rich and there is no substitute.
- Chocolate Chips – I love semi-sweet chocolate chips, it’s like a taste of nostalgia but you can substitute with dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or even white chocolate chips.
- Butterscotch chips – Another childhood favorite, I always use butterscotch chips but I recently had a magic bar that used peanut butter chips and now I have another favorite.
- Coconut – I go all in here with sweetened flaked coconut but if you want less sweetness in your cookie bars, use unsweetened shredded coconut instead.
- Nuts – I love chopped walnuts but you can use your favorite nuts here. Chopped pecans work great, as well.
For the full ingredient list and instructions, see the recipe card below.
How to Make Magic Cookie Bars
You’ll love how easily these bars come together. They’re foolproof!
- Prepare. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 13×9 inch baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil with a 1 inch over hang.
- Create the crust. If making your own graham cracker crumbs, pulse the crackers in the bowl of a food processor until fine crumbs form. In a small mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter until all the crumbs are moist. Press the mixture into the bottom of the pan being sure the baking sheet is covered and the layer is even. You can use the bottom of a measuring cup or drinking glass to press the layer firmly. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker mixture.
- Add the toppings. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the condensed milk and then sprinkle the butterscotch chips evenly over the chocolate. Finish off the top layer with the coconut and nuts.
- Bake. Bake in a 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before slicing into small bars.
How to Store Leftovers
In an airtight container at room temperature, these bars will stay fresh for about 3-4 days. If you want them to stay fresh even longer, pop them in the fridge, where they’ll last for up to a week. Some people actually prefer chilled Magic Bars over room temp ones!
How to Freeze Magic Bars
Once they’re baked and totally cooled to room temp, store the bars in an airtight, freezer safe food storage container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. Allow the bars to thaw in the fridge before serving. Don’t forget to label and date!
More Easy Dessert Bars
- Apple Pie Bars
- The Best Rice Crispy Treats
- Millionaire Shortbread Bars
- Cranberry Bliss Bars
- No-Bake Trail Mix Cereal Bars
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Get the Recipe: Magic Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 1/3 cups sweetened flaked coconut
- 1 cup chopped nuts, I used walnuts
Equipment
- 1 13 x 9 baking pan
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13 x 9 inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and butter until all the crumbs are moist.
- Press the mixture into the baking sheet being sure the bottom is covered and the layer is even.
- Pour the condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker mixture.
- Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of the condensed milk and then sprinkle the butterscotch chips evenly over the chocolate.
- Top with the coconut and nuts.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 – 30 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool completely before slicing and store in an airtight container.
Video
10 Comments on “Easy Magic Cookie Bars”
What size pan would you use for a double batch ?
I would just use two 9×13 pans or a half sheet pan would work, too!
I hate graham crackers. Could I use vanilla wafers or something else?
Vanilla wafers would work very well….as would the chocolate wafers, if you’re a chocolate lover they would be fantastic!
I never make those because they are so fabulous that I’m afraid that I’ll eat the whole pan…yum!
Exactly why I only make them for the holidays and then quickly evict them from my house!
Wow, I haven’t had these in years. Your photos look incredible!
Thanks, Katie! My pictures are definitely improving, it’s definitely a new challenge for me.
I swear my mom used to make bars just like these when I was little (although, I technically still am)! Thanks for the recipe and for reminding me of this treat!
These remind me of when I was little too, but I’m definitely not little anymore.