Magic Cookie Bars (Eagle Brand Recipe) Recipe

The Best Eagle Brand Magic Cookie Bars Recipe You’ll Adore

Sweet memories flood back whenever magical cookie bars appear on my kitchen counter, blending nostalgic flavors that spark childhood joy.

Layers of condensed milk create a gooey foundation for delectable textures and rich ingredients.

Coconut and chocolate chips dance together in perfect harmony across each delightful square.

Graham cracker crusts provide a crispy base that cradles decadent toppings.

Minimal effort yields maximum deliciousness with this classic dessert that never disappoints.

Melted butterscotch chips add unexpected depth to these irresistible treats.

Baking these bars guarantees smiles and happy moments around the table – you’ll want to savor every single bite.

  • Quick and Easy Crowd-Pleaser: Whip up these Magic Cookie Bars in just 35 minutes with minimal prep, making them perfect for busy home bakers who want a delicious dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • No-Fuss Layer Method: Simply stack ingredients in order, creating a foolproof recipe that requires zero advanced baking skills, allowing even novice cooks to achieve bakery-worthy results with zero stress.
  • Versatile Party Treat: These bars shine at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday parties, offering a crowd-pleasing dessert that satisfies multiple sweet cravings with chocolate, nuts, and coconut in one bite.
  • Pantry-Friendly Recipe: Utilize common ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, graham crackers, and chocolate chips that most home bakers already have, eliminating extra shopping trips and making spontaneous baking a breeze.
Base Layer:
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs, Butter: A classic combination for a delicious and sturdy foundation that provides crunch and rich buttery flavor. Graham crackers work best when finely ground and evenly mixed with melted butter.
Sweet Layer:
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: The magical binding ingredient that creates a luscious, creamy texture. Full-fat condensed milk ensures the best results and deep caramel-like sweetness.
Topping Layer:
  • Chocolate Chips, Butterscotch Chips: Rich chocolate and sweet butterscotch chips that melt slightly and create delightful pockets of flavor. Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips work perfectly.
  • Shredded Coconut: Adds tropical sweetness and chewy texture. Unsweetened or sweetened coconut both work well, depending on preference.
  • Chopped Nuts: Provides crunch and nutty depth. Pecans or walnuts are classic choices, but can be substituted based on personal taste or allergies.

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 350°F and get a 9×13-inch baking dish ready by lining it with parchment paper or giving it a quick spray of cooking oil.

Step 2: Craft The Crumbly Base

Melt butter and blend it thoroughly with graham cracker crumbs.

Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the pan, creating a solid foundation for your magical treats.

Step 3: Create A Delicious Landscape

Scatter these tasty ingredients across your graham cracker base:
  • Chocolate chips
  • Butterscotch chips
  • Shredded coconut
  • Chopped nuts

Distribute everything evenly for maximum flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Pour The Sweet Nectar

Drizzle sweetened condensed milk across the entire surface, allowing it to weave through the chips and nuts.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Watch for golden-brown edges that signal your bars are ready to become a legendary dessert.

Step 6: Chill And Slice

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely.

For picture-perfect slices, pop the pan in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before cutting into squares.

Enjoy your decadent magic cookie bars!

  • Swap graham crackers with crushed pretzels or gingersnap cookies for a unique texture and unexpected flavor twist.
  • Replace sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk for a dairy-free version that maintains the classic gooey richness.
  • Cut back on chocolate chips and add dried fruit like cranberries or chopped apricots for natural sweetness and nutritional balance.
  • Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between each slice to achieve smooth, clean edges without crumbling.
  • Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days or refrigerate for up to a week to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
  • Store leftover magic cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and delicious.
  • Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for longer preservation.
  • Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before enjoying their soft, gooey texture.
  • Warm slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore the bars' melty, decadent consistency, but be careful not to overheat.
  • Pair with Creamy Dairy Delights: Serve Magic Cookie Bars alongside a cold glass of whole milk or a smooth vanilla bean milkshake for a classic, nostalgic combination that enhances the rich, sweet layers.
  • Complement with Coffee Companions: Match these bars with a robust espresso or a smooth caramel latte to balance the sweetness and provide a warm, aromatic contrast to the dessert's rich texture.
  • Enhance with Dessert Wine: Pour a small glass of sweet dessert wine like Moscato or Port, which will beautifully highlight the nutty, caramel-like notes of the butterscotch and condensed milk layers.
  • Create Contrast with Tea: Brew a light, slightly bitter black tea or a chai blend to cut through the dessert's intense sweetness and provide a refreshing palate cleansing experience.
  • Gluten-Free Magic Bars: Replace graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free graham cracker alternative or almond flour mixed with melted butter. Use certified gluten-free chocolate chips and verify all ingredients are gluten-free.
  • Vegan Magic Bars: Substitute sweetened condensed milk with coconut condensed milk. Use dairy-free chocolate chips, coconut flakes, and plant-based butter. Replace nuts with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin for added crunch.
  • Nut-Free Magic Bars: Omit nuts completely or substitute with toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Use alternative toppings like crushed pretzels or crispy rice cereal for texture and crunch.
  • Low-Sugar Magic Bars: Use sugar-free chocolate chips, reduce sweetened condensed milk quantity, and incorporate stevia or monk fruit sweetener. Select unsweetened coconut flakes to minimize additional sugar content.

FAQs

  • Are Magic Cookie Bars easy to make for beginners?

Absolutely! This recipe requires no special baking skills, minimal ingredients, and simple layering technique. You just need to mix, layer, and bake – perfect for novice bakers.

  • Can I customize the chips and nuts in the recipe?

Yes, you can easily swap chocolate chips for white chocolate, use pecans instead of walnuts, or add different types of nuts. The basic recipe is very flexible and forgiving.

  • How do I prevent the bars from sticking to the pan?

Always line your baking dish with parchment paper or grease it well. This ensures easy removal and clean slicing of the bars without breaking them apart.

  • Why is sweetened condensed milk important in this recipe?

Condensed milk acts as a binding agent that caramelizes during baking, creating a rich, gooey texture that holds all the layers together and adds incredible sweetness to the bars.

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Magic Cookie Bars (Eagle Brand Recipe) Recipe

Magic Cookie Bars (Eagle Brand Recipe) Recipe


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4.5 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Magic cookie bars weave a delightful tapestry of sweetness and nostalgia, blending graham cracker crust with layers of chocolate, coconut, and condensed milk. Sweet memories melt together, inviting you to savor each irresistible bite of this classic dessert.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 can (14 ounces / 396 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup butterscotch chips
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
  • 1 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)

Crust Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick / 113 grams) unsalted butter, melted

Topping Ingredients:

(None additional)


Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking workspace by adjusting the oven rack to the center position and heating to 350°F (175°C). Create a non-stick surface in a 9×13-inch pan using parchment paper or a light butter coating.
  2. Combine the melted butter with graham cracker crumbs, pressing the mixture firmly and evenly across the entire pan bottom to form a compact, uniform base layer.
  3. Distribute chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, and chopped nuts systematically across the graham cracker foundation, ensuring an even and attractive coverage.
  4. Pour sweetened condensed milk in a slow, steady stream, allowing it to cascade gently and naturally cover the layered ingredients without disturbing their placement.
  5. Transfer the pan to the preheated oven, monitoring the transformation as the edges gradually turn a warm, golden-brown hue, indicating the bars are perfectly baked (approximately 25-30 minutes).
  6. Remove from the oven and allow the magic cookie bars to cool completely at room temperature. For precise, clean-cut servings, refrigerate for roughly 30 minutes before slicing into desired shapes and sizes.

Notes

  • Use room temperature butter for easier mixing and smoother graham cracker crust.
  • Swap traditional chips with dairy-free or dark chocolate versions for healthier alternatives.
  • Toast coconut and nuts beforehand to enhance their nutty, rich flavors and add extra crunch.
  • Line pan with parchment paper overhanging edges for easy bar removal and clean slicing.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 220
  • Sugar: 16 g
  • Sodium: 90 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 30 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 15 mg
Katherine Pierce

Katherine Pierce

Recipe Curator & Food Educator

Expertise

  • Curating diverse recipe collections
  • Educating on global culinary traditions
  • Developing informative food content

Education

Boston University Metropolitan College
Certificate Program in the Culinary Arts
Focus: French and international cuisine techniques, Hands-on culinary training with industry professionals, Food industry insights and operations


Katherine grew up believing every dish has a story. She studied the art of food at Boston University and explored the history behind it. She loves pulling easy recipes from every corner of the world and putting them at your fingertips.
When Katherine’s not writing or testing new flavors, she’s teaching cooking classes, baking colorful mooncakes, or dreaming up new ways to mix old favorites with new twists.

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