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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Brownies & Bars » Magic Cookie Bars

    Magic Cookie Bars

    Published: January 28, 2020 · Modified: Oct 23, 2020 by John Kanell

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    These easy, delicious magic cookie bars are perfectly sweet, crunchy, chewy, gooey anytime treats filled with coconut, chocolate, peanut butter and pecans that you can whip up in a flash!

    A stack of magic cookie bars next to a glass of milk.
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    stacked magic cookie bars on a plate
    magic cookie bars on parchment paper
    stacked magic cookie bars on a plate
    stacked magic cookie bars on a plate
    stacked magic cookie bars
    stacked magic cookie bars on a plate
    magic cookie bars on a counter
    stacked magic cookie bars on parchment paper
    Magic Cookie Bars on a porcelain plate.
    Magic Cookie Bars on a plate next to a glass of milk.
    Four Magic Cookie Bars on a plate.
    Magic Cookie Bars after being cut into squares.
    Three Magic Cookie Bars on a plate next to some milk in a glass.
    magic cookie bars on a counter

    These easy to make treats are called magic cookie bars for a reason! A quick assembly with a few ingredients you probably have in your pantry already and they disappear in a flash!

    The best part is you can make a batch months in advance and keep them in the freezer for when you want a sweet treat or have unexpected guests to feed.

    What You’ll Need for This Recipe

    Ingredients to Make Magic cookie bars on a marble counter.

    Shredded Coconut: This recipe uses sweetened shredded coconut, the unsweetened variety will be too tough.

    Chocolate Chips: I used semisweet chocolate chips in this cookie but you can definitely use bittersweet chocolate instead.

    How to Make Magic Cookie Bars

    Butter pouring into a bowl of Graham crackers and pecans to make Magic Cookie Bars.

    1. Set oven to 350F (177C) and line your baking dish with parchment paper or foil. Add the Graham crackers, and toasted pecans to a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Pulse until broken into a fine meal. If you don’t want to use a processor just give the pecans a fine chop and crush the crackers in a bag using a rolling pin. 

    2. Pour melted butter onto the Graham cracker mixture then mix together until uniformly moistened. If you’re using the processor just drizzle the melted butter in while pulsing. 

    Magic Cookie Bar crust getting pressed and smoothed with a measuring cup.

    3. Spread the crust onto your lined baking dish and use a measuring cup or glass to tamp it down and smooth it out.

    4. brush the side with veggie oil or melted butter for an easy release after baking. This step is optional but I find it’s much more pleasant to remove if you do it.

    Chocolate chips and peanut butter chips getting sprinkled onto a Magic Cookie Bar crust.

    5. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and try to get an even coating. You can add more or less depending on how much you love chocolate!

    6. Add the peanut butter chips in an even layer. You can mix in some butterscotch chips if that’s a flavor you enjoy. 

    Sweetened shaved coconut and toasted pecans being poured to make Magic Cookie Bars.

    7. Sprinkle the sweetened shredded coconut in an even layer. You will probably have to break up some clumps with your fingers as you go.

    8. Add the toasted chopped pecans onto the coconut. I love the crunch and aroma of pecans so I always add a bit extra. 

    Sweetened condensed milk pouring onto a pan for Magic Cookie Bars.

    9. Pop open your can of sweetened condensed milk and drizzle over the entire surface. It will self level and spread on it’s own so don’t go crazy trying to get every nook and cranny. 

    10. At the very end I like to add a sprinkle of sea salt all over the top for some contrast and a smattering of chocolate chips for looks. Pop into the oven and bake at 350F for about 30 minutes. You’ll see the top turn a golden brown but the center will not be set, it will harden after cooling down. Allow to cool in the pan for about an hour then remove an cut into bars or squares.

    A block of magic cookie bars getting cut into squares. A block of magic cookie bars getting cut into squares.

    Pro Tips for this recipe

    • LINE the baking dish! If you don’t there will be a total mess when you try to remove them.
    • Try using dulce del leche in place of the sweetened condensed milk for a more caramelized version of this easy treat.
    • Add more nuts, butterscotch chips, pretzel pieces or anything else you enjoy to this recipe, it’s quite forgiving.
    • You can buy graham cracker crumbs at the grocery store if you want to skip a step. 
    • The bars can be cut fairly small as they’re pretty rich, people can always grab an extra one if they’re still hungry!

    Magic cookie bars on a sheet of white parchment paper.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do they need refrigerated?

    Store your magic cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If it’s blazingly hot then you should pop them into the fridge. 

    Can you freeze them?

    Magic cookie bars freeze very well. Make sure to wrap them in something air tight and they will keep for three months. Defrost when ready to enjoy or snack on them straight out of the freezer. 

    How do you use sweetened condensed milk?

    Aside from adding a splash to your coffee in the morning for a delicious treat you can use sweetened condensed milk to make Tres leches Cake, Dulce de Leche Cake, fudge, and no bake cheesecake

    How do you know when they done?

    The top will be just turning golden in the center and the edges will look caramelized. It will not be hard in the middle but will set as it cools.

    What can I add to them?

    Try adding anything salty, crunchy or sweet that you enjoy! Butterscotch chips, chopped pretzel pieces, M&Ms, roasted peanuts, a drizzle of caramel, or even dried fruit. 

    If you love this recipe try these out!

    • close up of buckeyes on a white surface

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    If you’ve tried this magic cookie bar recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you got on in the comments below, I love hearing from you! 

    Three magic cookie bars stacked next to a glass of milk.
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    5 from 29 votes

    Magic cookie bars

    These easy, delicious magic cookie bars are a perfectly sweet, crunchy, chewy, gooey anytime treats that whips up in a flash!
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 45 minutes
    Servings 20 bars
    Calories 277kcal
    Author John Kanell

    Equipment

    • 9x13 inch baking dish

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs
    • 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans toasted, divided
    • 1/2 cup salted butter melted and slightly cooled, 113 grams
    • 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 3/4 cup peanut butter chips
    • 1 1/3 cups sweetened shredded coconut
    • 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
    • 3/4 tsp salt flaked sea salt preferably

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 350F then line a 9x13" baking dish with parchment paper or foil.
    • Crush the Graham crackers and 1/2 cup of toasted pecans in a food processor, or give the pecans a very fine chop and smash the crackers in a plastic bag.
    • Pour the melted butter onto the crumbs and mix until everything has been moistened. Transfer the crust into your prepared baking dish then press down smooth out with a glass or measuring cup.
    • Scatter with chocolate chips, then peanut butter chips, shredded coconut, and remaining cup of toasted pecan pieces.
    • Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the surface while trying to get fairly good coverage. Top with a smattering of chocolate chips then bake at 350F for about 30 minutes.
    • Allow to cool in the pan for about an hour then remove and cut into bars or squares.

    Video

    Notes

    • LINE the baking dish! If you don't there will be a total mess when you try to remove them.
    • Try using dulce del leche in place of the sweetened condensed milk for a more caramelized version of this easy treat.
    • Add more nuts, butterscotch chips, pretzel pieces or anything else you enjoy to this recipe, it's quite forgiving.
    • You can buy graham cracker crumbs at the grocery store if you want to skip a step. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1bar | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 239mg | Potassium: 170mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 202IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 71mg | Iron: 1mg
    *Nutrition Disclaimer
    Have you Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @preppykitchen and tag #preppykitchen!
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    Thanks for stopping by! I’m John Kanell, a husband, dad to twins Lachlan and George, Los Angeles native, and an avid baker and cooker of all things delicious thanks to a life long education from my mother. This blog is where I share all of my kitchen creations!

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