Make magic in the kitchen with this famous magic cookie bar recipe!
These 7 layers bars are a cinch to make and they’re the perfect make-ahead treat! Make a batch and store them in the freezer, they thaw in just a few minutes making them perfect for treats and lunches.
What are Magic Cookie Bars?
Everyone loves magic cookie bars. They’re a sweet, chewy, and crunchy combination and require just a few minutes of prep.
They start with a graham cracker base. The base is topped with sweetened condensed milk and then sprinkled with coconut, nuts, and chocolate chips. It’s all baked together and then cut into cookie bars.
So good!
Ingredients
Also called 7 Layer Bars, these have 7 ingredients:
CRUST Butter and graham crumbs are pressed to the bottom of a pan.
SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK This holds the ingredients together in these bars.
TOPPINGS Coconut, nuts, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips are the traditional toppings.
Variations
- Swap out the graham crumbs for chocolate wafer crumbs or even crushed Ritz crackers.
- Add any combination of nuts, dried fruits, or baking chips.
- Trade the chocolate chips for M&Ms or other favorite chopped candy bars.
How to Make Magic Cookie Bars
Super easy to make and fun to layer up, these magic bars are fun to make with kids!
- Mix butter and graham crumbs (per recipe below) and press in the pan.
- Pour sweetened condensed milk over top.
- Sprinkle with the remaining ingredients and bake.
Kitchen Tips
- Melt the butter in the pan you’ll be baking in (add it to the pan and place in the oven while it preheats). One less dish to wash!
- Option: line the pan with parchment or foil. This makes the bars extra easy to lift out and cut after baking (plus quick cleanup).
- To save time, purchase chopped pecans.
- This can be made with any combination of chocolate chips. Semi-sweet balances out the sweetness.
- Ensure the bars are chilled before cutting.
How to Store
Store magic cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature and they’ll stay fresh for up to 7 days.
To freeze them, wrap each cookie bar in plastic wrap and store them in a zippered bag with the date labeled on it. They’ll keep fresh for up to a month.
More Bars We Love
- Chocolate Mint Nanaimo Bars – freezer friendly
- Death by Chocolate Magic Cookie Bars
- S’mores Bars – a delicious twist on a classic
- Easy Pumpkin Bars – with cream cheese frosting
- Easy Lemon Bars Recipe – bright & refreshing
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars – soft & chewy
Did you love these Magic Cookie Bars? Be sure to leave a rating and a comment below!
Magic Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ¾ cup butter melted
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ⅓ cups flaked coconut
- 1 ⅓ cups pecans chopped
- 1 cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper.
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Combine graham crumbs and butter in a small bowl. Press into the 9×13 pan.
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Pour sweetened condensed milk over the graham crumbs.
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Sprinkle with coconut, pecans, butterscotch chips, and chocolate chips. Press gently.
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Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.
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Cool completely. Cut into 24 bars.
Notes
- Melt the butter in the pan you’ll be baking in by placing it in the oven while it preheats. Stir the crumbs and butter right in the pan. This makes fewer dishes to wash.
- Option: line the pan with parchment or foil. This makes the bars extra easy to lift out and cut after baking (plus quick cleanup).
- To save time, purchase chopped pecans.
- This can be made with any combination of chocolate chips. Semi-sweet balances out the sweetness.
- Ensure the bars are chilled before cutting.
