Magic Cookie Bars Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 18 comments
Published: Jun 09, 2023 Last Updated: Jun 9, 2023

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The BEST, Easy Magic Cookie Bars recipe is now at your fingertips. You’ll love this 7 layer, chewy treat, that’s so versatile for holidays or a sweet treat any day!

Magic Cookie Bars Recipe (1)

Why This Recipe is Best

I have a confession.

It took me 45 years to try my first Magic Cookie Bar. And I’m not stopping now!

Have you tried these, or are you wondering, “what is a magic cookie bar?”

Magic Cookies Bars are layers of delicious ingredients that create a chewy, decadent bar….like magic.

Today’s version is a little more kid friendly than the original 7 Layer Bar! No coconut here.

I had a bag of pastel M&M’s candies left over in my pantry from Easter, so thought I would use it in this Magic Bar recipe.

  • Graham cracker crust forms the base of these bars.
  • A sweet and chewy cookie layer in the middle.
  • LOADED with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and M&Ms!

Be sure to buy some extra candies to make our delicious next. Or add some to our !

Ingredient Notes

Magic Cookie Bars Recipe (2)
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs – I prefer to pulse my own in the food processor, rather than using store-bought crumbs. But those will work in a pinch and save you a step.
  • Quick Cook Oats –I don’t recommend substituting whole rolled oats or steel cut oats. They are not as processed and won’t soften as much in the cookie bars.
  • Milk Chocolate Chips – These add great flavor and sweetness, but you could also substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips if you prefer.
  • Butterscotch Chips –You can find butterscotch chips in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips.
  • M&M Candies – Any variety of M&Ms will work in these bars.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk –This helps create the fudgy cookie layer, doing most of the work for us!

How to Make Magic Bars

Magic Cookie Bars Recipe (3)
  1. STEP 1: Pulse the Crumbs. Melt butter and combine with graham cracker crumbs. Mix until crumbly.
  2. STEP 2: Make crust. Press graham cracker crumbs firmly into the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish lined with parchment paper.
  3. STEP 3: Add toppings. Top the graham cracker crust with milk chocolate chips, quick cook oats, butterscotch chips and M&M’S candies.
  4. STEP 4: Add milk. Pour can of sweetened condensed milk all over the top. Bake and cool.

Tips and Tricks

  • Line your baking dish with parchment paper to easily remove the bars once baked and help them release cleanly.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting. The bars will be soft at first but they will firm up as they set and cool.
  • Love nuts? Walnuts or toasted pecans go really well with this magic cookie bar recipe. Just add them on top when you add your chocolate chips!
  • Additional add-ins. Feel free to add any of the following for extra magic if desired: peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, Reese’speanut butter cups, shredded toasted coconut and/or 1/2 cup light brown sugar.
Magic Cookie Bars Recipe (4)

Recipe FAQs

Can I add coconut to these magic bars?

Absolutely, and many recipes feature coconut. My husband is not a coconut fan, so I used quick cook oats instead. You can add 1 cup of sweetened, shredded coconut if you prefer (keep or remove the oats, your choice)!

How do I store Magic Bars?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature. (I prefer mine chilled.) They will keep for up to 1 week.

Can I freeze Magic Bars?

Yes! After they are baked and cooled, slice them into bars. Then slide them into a freeze safe ziploc bag (or container). Freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight at room temperature (or in the refrigerator).

Magic Cookie Bars Recipe (5)

More Cookie Bars

  • Coconut Almond Bars
  • Smores Cookie Bars – also with a graham cracker crust!
  • Raspberry Shortbread Bars
  • Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
  • Gingerbread Cookie Bars
  • Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars
  • Rainbow Bars

Magic Cookie Bars Recipe (6)

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Magic Cookie Bars

By: Aimee

The BEST, Easy Magic Cookie Bars recipe is now at your fingertips. You'll love this 7 layer, chewy treat, that's so versatile for holidays or any day!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 bars

Ingredients

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs 12 full size crackers
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
  • ½ cup quick cook oats
  • 1 cup butterscotch morsels
  • 1 cup M&M’s candies any variety

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.

  • Process graham crackers using a food processor to make fine crumbs. Add in melted butter. Mix with a fork until crumbly.

  • Press crumbs into the bottom of prepared baking pan.

  • Top crust with chocolate chips, oats, butterscotch, and M&M’S. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.

  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely.

  • Store in airtight container at room temperature or refrigerator (MY CHOICE).

Notes

  • Line your baking dish with parchment paper to easily remove the bars once baked and help them release cleanly.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting. The bars will be soft at first but they will firm up as they set and cool.
  • Love nuts? Walnuts or pecans go really well with this magic cookie bar recipe. Just add them on top when you add your chocolate chips!
  • Additional add-ins. Feel free to add any of the following for extra magic if desired: peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, Reese’speanut butter cups, shredded coconut and/or 1/2 cup light brown sugar.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 233kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 62mg, Potassium: 120mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 182IU, Vitamin C: 0.5mg, Calcium: 74mg, Iron: 0.4mg

Course: Brownies and Bars

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Magic Cookie Bars are an easy, 7 layer cookie dessert. Chewy and decadent, you’ll love these for holidays or bake sales!

Magic Cookie Bars Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What are magic bars made of? ›

Traditional Magic Bars, also known as Hello Dolly Bars or 7 Layer Bars, are a layered dessert bar with a crumbly graham cracker crust, then topped with layers of butterscotch, coconut, chocolate, and nuts. Everything sticks together from gooey sweetened condensed milk that caramelizes on top when baked.

Can magic squares be frozen? ›

Even better, magic bars are also freezer-friendly, so you can stash a batch to offer unexpected guests or just when a craving strikes. If you're in the mood for more dessert bar recipes, try my chocolate chip cookie bars, lemon bars recipe, or peanut butter bars recipe.

What can you do with sweetened condensed milk? ›

Ways to Use Sweetened Condensed Milk
  1. Make a latte or iced coffee: This one might be obvious, but sweetened condensed milk is the perfect way to make a deliciously sweet and creamy latte or iced coffee.
  2. Spread it on a pastry, toast, or a croissant (especially our Mocha Creamer!)
  3. Drizzle on oatmeal.
Aug 16, 2023

How long to cool bar cookies before cutting? ›

Make sure cookies are completely cool in order to get best results when cutting them, regardless of whether or not you line the baking pan with foil or simply grease the pan. You can go one step further to get clean cuts by freezing bars or brownies in the pan for two hours or overnight before cutting.

Is condensed milk the same as evaporated milk? ›

Both are concentrated, shelf-stable milk products that have been heated until at least 60 percent of their water content has evaporated. The main difference between evaporated milk and condensed milk is that evaporated milk is unsweetened while condensed milk is sweetened.

Why are they called Hello Dolly bars? ›

The Hello Dolly name is a reference to the Broadway musical "Hello, Dolly!" which was a popular musical when these bars were created in the mid-1960s. The bars are assembled in seven layers, and they are incredibly delicious.

How to store magic bars in the fridge? ›

How to Store Magic Cookie Bars. Store the magic cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to one week.

How to freeze cookie bars? ›

Cool bar cookies completely before wrapping and freezing. To protect flavor and prevent the cookies from drying out, wrap tightly in heavy duty aluminum foil or freezer wrap, or pack in freezer bags or plastic freezer containers with tight-fitting lids. Separate bars with waxed paper between the layers.

How long do squares last in the freezer? ›

For best quality, freeze cookies and squares for up to 3 months.

Why would someone drink condensed milk? ›

Due to the sugar addition, condensed milk is more durable than evaporated milk. The benefits of regular milk are boosted in condensed milk since it contains more sugar. Condensed milk is a good source of these nutrients in addition to calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, vitamin A, riboflavin, phosphorus, and protein.

Can you drink straight sweetened condensed milk? ›

Can I drink sweetened condensed milk? It is a ready-to-use product so it may be consumed without any other preparation. You can add it to everyday items like in your coffee, on toast with cinnamon, on fruit or yogurt, and in any way you see fit.

Why are my cookie bars raw in the middle? ›

Bar cookies baked in insulated baking pans often don't brown well. Try baking bars longer than called for in your recipe. Realize that most published recipes are not developed using insulated pans. Ideally, only bake one baking pan of bar cookies at a time, placing it on a rack in the middle of the oven.

Why are my cookies hard after they cool? ›

Cookies become hard when the moisture in them evaporates. This can be caused by leaving them out in the air for too long, baking them for too long, or storing them improperly. The lack of moisture makes the cookies hard and dry, which makes them difficult to enjoy.

Can I put cookie bars back in the oven? ›

Re-baking will give us hard, brick-like cookies and bars. The other concern is the eggs. If the bars are so underbaked that the eggs are still raw, it's probably not a good idea to eat or even try to re-bake them if the bars have been sitting out for very long.

Do Magic bars have nicotine? ›

Magic Bar Max 4000 to a new level! Airflow adjustable supports both MTL and DTL vaping while rechargeable battery and big capacity. It has 650mAh battery and 20mg nicotine strength.

Are Magic Bar Vapes good? ›

Magic Bar vapes are disposable vape devices that are designed to be easy to use and convenient. They come pre-filled with e-liquid and a battery, so you don't need to worry about refilling or recharging them. Magic Bar vapes are known for their sleek and stylish design.

What are cereal bars made of? ›

A cereal bar is a bar-shaped food product, made by pressing cereals and usually dried fruit or berries, which are in most cases held together by glucose syrup. Consumers choose cereal bars as an alternative to the less-healthy snacks, a quick source of energy before a workout, or a substitute for a meal.

Where are Magic Bar Vapes made? ›

Magic Bar is dedicated to bring high quality and cost-effective products to vapers. Magic Bar has it's own professional disposable manufacturing factory in China. Hiring more than 600 skilled workers, has over 2000m² plant area, Magic Bar factory's daliy production volume is over 100,000pcs.

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