Kitchen Divas

  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Work With Us
  • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Work With Us
    • Subscribe
    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dessert Recipes

    Magic Cookie Bars 

    Published: Nov 26, 2024 · Modified: Mar 31, 2025 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. Leave a Comment

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These Magic Cookie Bars are a nostalgic, crowd-pleasing treat that’s incredibly easy to make at home. I love preparing them for potlucks, special occasions, or simply to enjoy with the family after dinner. This budget-friendly recipe offers the perfect balance of flavors and textures—you just might want to make an extra batch because they disappear fast!

    Magic bars on parchment paper with chocolate chips sprinkled around.
    Jump to:
    • Why You’ll Love This Magic Cookie Bar Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • How to Make Magic Bars
    • Storage Directions 
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Recipe FAQs
    • More Delicious Bar Dessert Recipes
    • Magic Cookie Bars

    The crunchy graham cracker crust and the gooey, chocolatey center are the perfect contrast. I love the subtle coconut and butterscotch flavors, too. They keep these magic layer bars from becoming too rich.

    If you like coconut dessert recipes, you will love White Chocolate Coconut Cookies and Upside Down Fruit Cocktail Cake with Coconut.

    Why You’ll Love This Magic Cookie Bar Recipe

    • Classic dessert recipe: Also known as seven-layer bars, these coconut magic cookie bars are a popular treat that everyone loves.
    • Easy to make: Even if you’re not an avid baker, these magic bars come together effortlessly.
    • Ready in 35 minutes: This magic bars recipe takes just 35 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for quick desserts or last-minute gatherings.

    Ingredients

    These are the components needed for each layer of these magic bars with coconut. They are affordable and easy to find in the baking aisle of your local grocery store.

    Ingredients for magic bars arranged on a marble surface.
    • Cinnamon graham cracker crumbs: I like the crunchy cinnamon sugar texture, but you can use honey graham crackers instead.
    • Butter: Salted butter helps to balance the sweetness of the magic bars. There’s no need to soften it, as it will be melted and added to the graham cracker crumbs to form the bottom layer.
    • Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet is my favorite variety for this recipe, but milk or dark chocolate chips work great, too.
    • Butterscotch chips: A classic flavor in 7-layer bars is butterscotch. The chips melt easily and mix well with the chocolate.
    • Pecans: I love the crunchy texture of the chopped pecans. Feel free to use walnuts instead if you’d like.
    • Shredded coconut: Be sure to use sweetened shredded coconut for the best flavor. I also love the chewy texture that coconut adds to these bars.
    • Sweetened condensed milk: Another key ingredient is condensed milk. It adds a gooey texture in the center. Use Eagle condensed milk to make Eagle brand magic cookie bars.
    • Sea salt: A sprinkle of sea salt ties all the flavors together perfectly.

    See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

    Variations

    • White chocolate and peanut butter: Swap the semi-sweet chocolate chips and butterscotch chips for white chocolate chips and peanut butter chips for a fun version.
    • Extra chocolate: Use extra chocolate chips and skip the butterscotch for an ultimate chocolate twist.
    • Oreos and marshmallows: Use Oreos instead of graham crackers, and add mini marshmallows for a tasty treat.

    How to Make Magic Bars

    To get started, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, generously spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray (this includes the sides as well). The rest of it is super easy!

    Crushed graham crackers and melted butter in a glass bowl.

    Step 1: Make the graham cracker layer. Combine the crushed graham crackers with the melted butter.

    Graham cracker crust pressed into a white baking dish.

    Step 2: Add it to the pan. Spread the graham cracker mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it down firmly and evenly.

    Chocolate and butterscotch chips, pecans, and shredded coconut on top of graham cracker crust in a baking dish.

    Step 3: Layer the chips, nuts, and coconut. Sprinkle the chocolate and butterscotch chips evenly over the crust. Follow this with the pecans and shredded coconut.

    Condensed milk poured on top of magic bar ingredients in a baking dish.

    Step 4: Add the condensed milk and salt. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top and sprinkle with sea salt.

    A baking dish with magic bars after coming out of the oven before slicing.

    Step 5: Bake. Put it in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until the edges are golden.

    Sliced magic bars in a white baking dish.

    Step 6: Cool and slice. Allow the magic bars to cool and then slice them into 12 squares. Enjoy!

    ⭐ Hint: Slice the magic bars into whatever size you like, even minis!

    If you love bar dessert recipes like this, you may also enjoy these Butterscotch Caramel Cashew Bars.

    A wooden spatula pulling a magic cookie bar from a baking dish.

    Storage Directions 

    • Storing: Place the bars in an airtight container for 1-2 days at room temperature or up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Wrap the magic bars tightly in foil or plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Freeze them for up to 3 months.
    • Make Ahead: Prepare, bake, and cool your coconut cookie bars and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before serving them.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Serve one of these magic bars with a scoop of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream or Brownie Ice Cream with Caramel.
    • This recipe for magic bars is the perfect dessert to enjoy after an easy dinner like Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice Casserole or Pork Stew.
    • Make a cup of hot chocolate using Hot Chocolate Truffles and pair it with these bars.
    One of the magic cookie bars on parchment paper.

    Recipe Tips

    • Try parchment paper: Line the baking dish with parchment paper so you can easily lift the bars out for slicing.
    • Avoid overbaking: It’s fine if the bars are slightly soft in the center. Overbaking can make them dry and crumbly.
    • Don’t slice while hot: Allow the magic coconut bars to cool and set completely before slicing to prevent them from falling apart.

    Recipe FAQs

    Can I omit the nuts or coconut if needed?

    Of course! You can also replace them with more chocolate chips if you’d like.

    Can I make the magic bars dairy-free?

    Yes. Use plant-based butter, dairy-free chocolate, and butterscotch chips, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Check labels to ensure all of the other ingredients are dairy-free as well.

    Why are my bars so gooey?

    They may need more time in the oven to bake. The edges will be golden and the middle slightly jiggly when they’re ready.

    A stack of three magic cookie bars on parchment paper with chocolate chips sprinkled around.

    More Delicious Bar Dessert Recipes

    • A peanut butter cookie bar on top of a pile.
      The Best Peanut Butter Cookie Bars
    • A spatula holding up a slice of a blueberry cheesecake bar.
      Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
    • Chocolate chip cookie bars on a blue and white plate.
      Easy Cake Mix Cookie Bars
    • Caramel cookie bars on the table with rolo candies.
      Caramel Cookie Bars

    Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.

    A stack of three magic cookie bars on parchment paper.

    Magic Cookie Bars

    Karin and Ken
    These Magic Cookie Bars are easy to make and utterly delicious! With a graham cracker crust, chocolate and butterscotch chips, pecans, and coconut, they’re always a crowd-pleaser!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 551 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9x13” casserole dish
    • nonstick spray
    • large bowl
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • spatula or spoon

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ⅔ cup cinnamon graham cracker crumbs
    • ¾ cup salted butter melted
    • 1 ¼ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 1 cup butterscotch chips
    • 1 cup chopped pecans
    • 1 cup sweetened coconut shreds
    • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat your oven to 350°F and spray the sides and bottom of a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick spray.
    • In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs with butter until all the crumbs are saturated and form a dough-like consistency. Press the dough into the baking dish to form an even layer. Use the flat bottom of a measuring cup to press it down firmly.
    • Layer the chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts, and coconut over the crust in even layers. (Note: Each ingredient will not cover the whole crust, that’s ok! They will melt together.)
    • Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk over the top and then spread it over the whole top of the whole dish with a spatula or spoon. Then sprinkle lightly with sea salt.
    • Bake for 20 minutes uncovered or until the edges are golden brown and the center is hot with candy melted.
    • Cool completely and then cut into 12 even squares to serve. You can also cut them smaller for bite size treats!

    Notes

    • Try parchment paper: Line the baking dish with parchment paper so you can easily lift the bars out for slicing.
    • Avoid overbaking: It’s fine if the bars are slightly soft in the center. Overbaking can make them dry and crumbly.
    • Don’t slice while hot: Allow the magic coconut bars to cool and set completely before slicing to prevent them from falling apart.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 551kcalCarbohydrates: 58gProtein: 6gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 482mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 4gSugar: 44gVitamin A: 474IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword magic bars, magic cookie bars
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Share
    Pin
    Post
    Email
    Share

    More Dessert Recipes

    • Popcorn bars in a pan with a spatula holding one up and over the dish.
      Toffee Crunch Popcorn Bars 
    • Lemon Chex Mix
    • Chocolate pudding cake on a stack of plates with ice cream on top.
      Chocolate Pudding Cake
    • A bite of buffalo snake mix held in the air.
      Buffalo Snack Mix

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating





    Welcome!

    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

    More about us

    Most Popular Summer Salads!

    • Cucumber and onion salad in vinegar in a bowl.
      Old-Fashioned Cucumbers and Onions in Vinegar
    • Cold asparagus salad on a plate with spoonful held above it.
      Easy Cold Asparagus Salad
    • Mediterranean Tortellini Caprese Salad (Costco Copycat)
    • A bowl of creamy cucumber salad.
      Creamy Cucumber Salad

    More Red, White and Blue Desserts ➡️

    Summer Favorites

    • Grandma's Old Fashioned Fruit Salad
    • A bowl of cheesecake fruit salad with a wooden spoon.
      Cheesecake Fruit Salad
    • Orange fluff salad in a teal colored bowl on a table with marshmallows and mandarin oranges around the bowl.
      Orange Fluff Salad
    • A slice of cherry cream cheese pie on a plate.
      Cherry Cream Cheese Pie (No Bake)

    More Sweet Treats ➡️

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About
    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and what's new!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Us

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Kitchen Divas All Rights Reserved