Magic Cookie Bars (2 ways)

magic cookie bars one stacked on another

4.80 from 5 votes

If you ever want to make your own sweetened condensed milk, add 1 part sugar to 2 parts milk, boil together until mixture thickens, stirring often.

Prep Time15

Cook Time20

Total Time35

Course: Christmas Cookies, cookies, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: bars

Calories: 262kcal

Author: Rosemary Molloy

Ingredients

HAZELNUT CREAM MAGIC BARS

1¼ cups graham cracker crumbs (or digestive cookies)
3 tablespoons butter melted
½ cup Nutella
⅓ cup semi sweet chocolate mini chips
⅓ cup peanut butter mini chips
½ cup chopped hazelnuts

MAGIC COOKIE BARS

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs or digestive cookie crumbs
⅓ cup butter melted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
¾ -1 cup mini dark chocolate chips
¾ -1 cup chopped hazelnuts or walnuts
½ - ¾ cup coconut flakes
2-3 tablespoons mini dark chocolate chips
2-3 tablespoons chopped hazelnuts or walnuts

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 325° (160° celsius).

HAZELNUT CREAM (NUTELLA) BARS

In a small (6x8 inch / 16 x 20 cm) baking dish, add the cookie crumbs and melted butter, mix well together and press down in the pan.
Spread with Nutella (I placed the Nutella in a bowl over a pot of boiling water to thin it out for easier spreading or you could use the microwave), top with chocolate chips (I mixed the two together) and top with the chopped hazelnuts.
Press down firmly. Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely then place in the fridge for about 30-45 minutes for easier slicing. Enjoy!

MAGIC COOKIE BARS

In a 9 inch / 23cm baking dish*, add the cookie crumbs and melted butter, mix well together and press down in the pan, sprinkle on top with the nuts then the chocolate chips.
Pour the sweetened condensed milk on top. Sprinkle with the coconut, and the extra nuts and chips on top, then lightly press down.
Bake for approximately 15-20 minutes. Let cool completely then place in the fridge for about 30-45 minutes for easier slicing. Enjoy!
*For easier removal of the squares you can always line the pan with parchment paper, mix the crumbs and butter in a separate bowl then evenly spread.

Notes

The cookies should be stored in an airtight container. It’s best to separate the bars with parchment paper. They can be kept at room temperature, as long as the room is not too hot for about two to three days. If your house is warm then it is best to refrigerate the bars. They will keep for up to a week in the fridge.

They can also be frozen, freeze the cooled bars in a freezer safe air tight container, separated with parchment paper. They will keep for up to three months.

Nutrition