Chocolate Magic Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Chocolate Magic Cookie Bars are a delicious layered treat that combine a buttery graham cracker crust with sweetened condensed milk, chocolate, nuts, dried cranberries, and coconut. These bars are easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a mix of textures and flavors.

Ingredients

• 2 cups (200g) graham cracker crumbs, from 12 to 13 whole graham crackers
• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, melted
• 14-ounce can (397g) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons (11g) unsweetened cocoa, Dutch-process or natural
• 3/4 cup (128g) bittersweet chocolate chips, divided
• 3/4 cup (107g) hazelnuts or almonds, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup (29g) dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup (30g) large flake coconut, unsweetened

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare an 8″ square pan with a parchment sling or reusable silicone liner, then lightly grease the sides of the pan.
2. Step 2: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Firmly press the mixture into the bottom of the pan. Set aside.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk and cocoa powder. Mix until smooth, then pour over the crust.
4. Step 4: Top with 1/2 cup (85g) of the chocolate chips, followed by the nuts, dried cranberries, and coconut flakes.
5. Step 5: Bake the magic cookie bars for 25 to 30 minutes, until the coconut is lightly toasted.
6. Step 6: Melt the remaining 1/4 cup (43g) chocolate chips and drizzle over the top of the baked cookie bars.
7. Step 7: Allow the magic cookie bars to cool at room temperature for 60 to 90 minutes. Before serving, place the bars in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes before removing from the pan, cutting, and serving. The bars are easiest to cut when the crust and sticky filling is cold.

Tips & Variations

• For a nut-free version, substitute the nuts with extra dried fruit or seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
• Use white chocolate chips instead of bittersweet chocolate for a sweeter variation.
• If you prefer a more intense chocolate flavor, sprinkle an additional tablespoon of cocoa powder into the condensed milk mixture.
• Make sure to firmly press the crust to avoid it crumbling when cutting the bars.

Storage

Store leftover magic cookie bars well covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer storage, freeze the bars in an airtight container for up to 2 months. To serve, thaw in the refrigerator and cut while chilled for the cleanest slices.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of nut in this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute hazelnuts or almonds with walnuts, pecans, or even a mix of your favorite nuts depending on your preference or what you have on hand.

Do these bars need to be refrigerated?

While you can store them at room temperature for a short time, refrigerating the bars helps the filling set and makes them easier to cut. It also keeps them fresh longer.

Chocolate Magic Cookie Bars Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.6 from 149 reviews

• Author: Isabella
• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

Delicious and easy-to-make Chocolate Magic Cookie Bars featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, rich chocolate layer, crunchy nuts, sweet dried cranberries, and toasty coconut flakes, topped with a drizzle of melted chocolate. These bars combine a variety of textures and flavors, baked to perfection and chilled for the best slicing experience.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 2 cups (200g) graham cracker crumbs (from 12 to 13 whole graham crackers)
• 8 tablespoons (113g) unsalted butter, melted

Filling & Topping

• 14-ounce can (397g) sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tablespoons (11g) unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch-process or natural
• 3/4 cup (128g) bittersweet chocolate chips, divided
• 3/4 cup (107g) hazelnuts or almonds, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup (29g) dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup (30g) large flake coconut, unsweetened

---

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8-inch square pan with a parchment sling or a reusable silicone liner, then lightly grease the sides to ensure easy removal of the bars.
2. Make the Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter thoroughly. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the base layer.
3. Mix Chocolate Layer: In a small bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth and uniform. Pour this chocolate mixture evenly over the prepared crust.
4. Add Toppings: Sprinkle 1/2 cup (85g) of the bittersweet chocolate chips over the chocolate layer. Then evenly distribute the chopped nuts, dried cranberries, and unsweetened coconut flakes on top.
5. Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The bars are done when the coconut flakes on top are lightly toasted and the filling is set.
6. Drizzle Melted Chocolate: While the bars are baking or shortly after they come out of the oven, melt the remaining 1/4 cup (43g) bittersweet chocolate chips. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the top of the baked bars for an extra layer of chocolate flavor.
7. Cool and Chill: Let the bars cool at room temperature for 60 to 90 minutes to set properly. To make cutting easier and allow flavors to meld, refrigerate the bars for an additional 30 minutes before slicing.
8. Storage: Store leftover bars well covered in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze the bars; thaw before serving.

Notes

• Press the crust firmly to ensure it holds together well.
• Use a parchment sling for easy removal of bars from the pan.
• The coconut should be lightly toasted when done baking for optimal flavor and texture.
• Chilling before slicing helps the bars hold their shape and makes cutting cleaner.
• To customize, nuts can be substituted or omitted based on preference or allergies.
• Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chocolate Magic Cookie Bars, Chocolate Bars, Easy Dessert, Magic Cookie Bars, Graham Cracker Crust, No Bake Bars, Holiday Dessert