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I wanna tell you about these amazing Magic Cookie Bars that stack yummy layers into an addictive sweet snack. This old-school dessert has made folks happy for years with its mix of crunchy, chewy goodness.
I've made these tons of times and found that spending a little more time on the graham cracker bottom and spreading the condensed milk all over helps them stick together when you cut them.
Key Components
- Graham crackers (1½ cups crushed): Makes a solid foundation
- Unsalted butter (½ cup): Keeps the base together
- Sweetened condensed milk (14 oz): The sticky stuff that works wonders
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup): Gives that chocolate goodness
- Butterscotch chips (1 cup): Adds sweet buttery flavor
- Shredded coconut (1⅓ cups): Brings that nice chew
- Chopped pecans (1 cup): For that must-have crunch
Step-by-Step Guide
- Getting The Pan Ready
- Heat your oven to 350°F, Put parchment paper across the 9x13 pan, Leave paper hanging over edges for grabbing later, Grease any parts of the pan not covered
- Making The Bottom
- Smash graham crackers into crumbs, Stir in melted butter until wet, Push down firmly in the pan, A flat-bottomed cup works great for pressing
- Adding The Goodies
- Scatter chocolate chips all over, Drop butterscotch chips on next, Sprinkle coconut everywhere, Scatter nuts on top, Drizzle condensed milk over everything
- Cooking Time
- Stick in hot oven, Bake 25-30 minutes till golden brown, Look for slightly darker edges, Middle shouldn't be jiggly
- Finishing Up
- Let cool all the way in the pan, Pull out using paper handles, Slice into squares with big knife, Wipe knife between cuts for neat squares
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Keeping Them Fresh
Counter - good for 3 days if covered, Fridge - stays tasty about a week, Freezer - lasts 3 months if wrapped tight
Bottom line: These Magic Cookie Bars really are magic, turning basic stuff into something super tasty. Some folks call them Seven Layer Bars or Hello Dollies, but whatever name you use, your family's gonna ask for them again and again.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → How long will Magic Cookie Bars stay good?
- If you keep them airtight at room temperature, they'll last 3 days. Or freeze them for up to 3 months.
- → Can I swap pecans for other nuts?
- Absolutely! Use almonds, walnuts, or your favorite nuts—just stick with the same amount.
- → What makes these bars ‘magic’?
- It’s the sweetened condensed milk that pulls all the layers together, creating rich bars without needing to stir them.
- → Can I prep these ahead of time?
- Yep! Make them 2-3 days early and leave them at room temperature, or freeze to keep even longer.
- → Do I need to put these bars in the fridge?
- Not at all! Store them in a sealed container at room temperature and they’ll be just fine.