We are still on the cookie train over here and today I want to share these magic cookie bars with you!!
To tell you the truth, this is the first time I have ever made a bar like this!! I was scrolling through holiday cookie ideas trying to find something different to add to our Christmas gift boxes and when I saw these magic cookie bars I knew that we would need to whip up a batch just to make sure it was worth sharing with you all!Â
You know, it’s a rough life I live over here – eating all the cookies in the name of research!! 😉
Traditional magic cookie bars are made with a crumbly graham cracker crust and although that sounded delicious, I’m not a big fan of biting into something and having half of the bar fall apart in my hands. So this version of the magic cookie bar has a shortbread crust as a base (sturdier and better for biting haha) and then that base is covered with chocolate chips, toasted walnut, sweet dates, shredded coconut and everything is bound together with a drizzle of condensed milk. Yes, these magic cookie bars are rich, but they are SO delicious!!
This magic cookie bar recipe comes together quickly and bakes up in about 40 minutes (My daughter and I made them before school drop, if that tells you how quick and easy this recipe is!) and they freeze beautifully in case you need to plan ahead or have any leftovers.
These versatile bars are loaded with ALL the goodies and you can even customize them with what you currently have in your pantry – just use the basic recipe template below and substitute your favorite treats! You could add some peanut butter chips in with the chocolate chips, omit the nuts for a nut-free school treat, and you can even add as many layers as your heart desires!
Sounds like a magic cookie bar to me!! Happy baking!!
XO,
Jenn
PS Here are some other cookie recipes you might enjoy:
chocolate chip cookie pots - the cookie you can eat with a spoon
dark chocolate crinkle cookies - the perfect holiday treat
the best chocolate chip cookies ever - so good they don't need an explanation
double chocolate walnut cookies - hands down my favorite cookies in the entire world!! So far! ;)
Magic Cookie Bars
makes 18 bar
ingredients:
nonstick cooking spray
3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dates, cut into small pieces
1 cup walnut pieces, toasted
1 can (14oz) condensed milk
2 cups (7oz) shredded coconut
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Coat the inside of a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Line the baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on at least two sides. Spray the parchment with cooking spray and set aside.
In a food processor, add that butter, powdered sugar, flour, and salt and pulse until combined and formed into a coarse mixture. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the baking dish, and place the dough into the oven. Bake until lightly golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Once the dough is cooked, remove the pan from the oven and carefully place it onto a cooling rack while you add the toppings.
Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the dough, followed by the dates, and the walnuts. Pour the condensed milk over the toppings, adding the coconut to the top of everything.
Place the dish into the oven and bake until the coconut is golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into bars or squares.
My notes: I didn’t specify sweetened or unsweetened coconut in this recipe because you can use either. I know that sweetened is readily available in most grocery stores, but I used unsweetened in this recipe and thought it was delicious! Also, any nut can be used in place of the walnuts, and I bet butterscotch or peanut butter chips would be delicious mixed in with those chocolate chips!!
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