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!
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 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! 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.
Like I mentioned, these are little layers 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 these easy cookie bars! Simply layer the ingredients of your choice, bake for about half an hour, and enjoy.
The flavor of the bars is even better the day after baking. Bars stored at room temperature will be fairly soft and are best eaten within 3 to 5 days. For firm and chewy bars, store in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I freeze Magic Cookie Bars?
Yes! 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!
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.
- Create the crust. 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.
- Add the toppings. 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. Bake in a 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely before slicing.
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!
7 Layer Magic Bars
FAQ
How long do cookie bars stay fresh?
Can magic squares be frozen?
What’s in magic bars?
Do magic bars need to be refrigerated?
Magic bars do not need to be refrigerated, but if you prefer a cold magic bar, feel free to place them in the fridge. Room temperature: place completely cooled magic bars into a sealed tupperware container for up to a week. Fridge: place completely cooled magic bars into a sealed airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Do 7 layer magic bars need to be refrigerated?
7 Layer Magic Bars do not need to be refrigerated and can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. WANT TO FREEZE THEM? If you’d like to enjoy your bars for any length of time beyond this, you should consider freezing them! You can keep them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Can you freeze magic bars?
In fact, these bars are just as delicious directly out of the freezer. To freeze Magic Bars, place a sheet of wax paper on the bottom of a freezer-safe storage container. Then, add a single layer of bars, followed by another sheet of wax paper, and repeat until all of the bars are stacked, seal, and freeze.
Can you freeze 7 layer bars?
To freeze 7 layer bars, cut them into squares and store them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. What is a 7 Layer Bar? As far as I know, the original 7 layer bars recipe came right from the Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk label, right on the can.