Magic Bars

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It’s possible that you’ve seen these bars before. I think they’re pretty popular. They have other names like Hello Dolly bars or 7 layer bars, but I think Magic Bars makes the most sense. I mean isn’t it pretty much magic that you can create such a delicious and decadant treat without having to do much work at all? Seriously, I have loved these bars for ages, but I never knew how simple they really are.

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Whipping up a batch of these crowd-pleasing delicious bars is so easy, that the most novice “non-baker” out there could easily conquer them. I wouldn’t even really consider baking a skill you need to make these. No baking soda, or powder, or flour. No real quantities to stick to, and an infinite amount of creative freedom.  It’s as simple as mixing some cookie crumbs with butter and sugar, baking that crust for 10 minutes, and then just throwing everything else in on top of that. Simple.

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This recipe normally contains nuts, but since I married a “nuts-ruin-baked-goods” man, I skipped them. I added butterscotch chips, but you could also add M&Ms, white chocolate, peanut butter chips or more. So many options. This way, they tastes kinda like Samoas, but way easier. Enjoy! :)

note: For the crust, any kind of cookie will do. I had leftover Vanilla Wafers and Chocolate Cookies in the freezer and used those. Graham Crackers or other wafer cookies are fine too!)

Magic Bars

Yield: 20 bars

Ingredients

  • 3 cups ground cookie crumbs
  • 1 to 1 1/2 sticks of butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375. Line a quarter sheet pan (or a 9x13 baking dish) with parchment paper.
  2. Place cookie crumbs into a bowl and stir in the sugar and 1 stick of the butter. (I found that one stick was enough for me, but add the rest if your mixture seems dry.) Press crust mixture into the bottom of the pan and bake for 10 minutes or until firm.
  3. Let crust cool on a wire rack for 10-15 minutes, and then sprinkle the chocolate and butterscotch chips over it. Pour the condensed milk evenly over the chips and top with the coconut. Bake for 15 minutes or until the coconut gets toasty. Allow bars to cool completely and then cut into squares.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1 grams
Amount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

Recipe adapted from: Martha Stewart

15 Comments

  1. amazing! they are the perfect way of using leftover cookies that have gone dry.

    cakes-carina.blogspot.de

  2. RavieNomNoms says:

    WHOA! Is this what heaven is made out of?

  3. NicsNotebook says:

    Yum they look lovely!

  4. SamanthaFrommHaddow says:

    Added butterscotchies and no nuts? Just the way the Guthrie’s pastry chef makes them for our express cafe. Great minds think alike ;-)

  5. Yes! Andy doesn’t like nuts so that’s the way I went. If it were up to me, I think some toasted pecans would have been amazing :)

  6. When I read that, I immediately thought of Magic Mike. So that’s good, right? These look amazing!

  7. Ohhh these are yummy. My recipe has graham cracker crumbs for base. No butterscotch but nuts. Yum! Yum! yum! haven’t made them in awhile…Hmmm…

  8. Jessica_AKitchenAddiction says:

    These were always around my house growing up! I think they were made a little differently each time!

  9. lisaelaine says:

    My mom made these with a graham cracker base and they are a good cookie to make when you need something quick. I like to add dried cherries to them.

  10. Oooh those look so good! I’ve been in the mood for butterscotch lately and those look so delicious! I would add some peanut butter chips and chocolate chips too because that sounds beyond yummy. Great recipe :)

    -Jessica (Sew In Love)

  11. Nicole Harling says:

    Those look devine. Sometimes the most simplistic recipes are the best!

  12. Zoe Chant says:

    Im making these right now..Just waiting for them to cool..the recipe was simple…hope it tastes nice..let you know how they go.

  13. Zoe Chant says:

    Mine dont look as attractive at the picture… but they taste absolutely wonderful… for a recipe which was soo simple.

  14. I had no cookie crumbs the first time I tried these, so I made a sort of shortbread crust using 1 1/2cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 stick butter,1/2 tsp. Salt, and 1 egg. I combined the butter in with a fork, added the egg, then mixed it all together with my clean hands and pressed it into the buttered pan. Then I baked it for 12 min. or so, removed it, added all the other ingredients the returned it to the oven for 15-20 min. It worked great!

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