Magic Bars (Howdy Dolly Bars)

Magic bars are made by topping a graham cracker base with nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk. The result’s a candy, chewy cookie bar that’s all the time a success at potlucks and cookie exchanges!

Cookie bars are the most effective methods to make an entire bunch of cookies with minimal effort.

I may not have time to make and frost a batch of sugar cookies, however I could make a pan of sugar cookie bars and reduce them into as many items as I want. It takes much less time to make a pan of monster cookie bars than it does to scoop and bake a number of pans of cookies.

These magic bars are a simple favourite. They solely take a couple of minutes to assemble and also you’ve acquired an entire pan of chewy cookie bars which are bursting with chocolate, coconut, and your favourite nuts.

In case you want one other deal with so as to add to your vacation menus or cookie exchanges, this magic cookie bars recipe is it.

What are magic bars?

Have you ever ever had magic bars? They’re really easy they actually do really feel like magic after they come collectively.

Magic bars are candy, chewy cookie bars made by topping a graham cracker crust base with nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, and sweetened condensed milk. They’re often known as Howdy Dolly bars or 7-layer bars.

The “magic” half is that you simply don’t truly combine the topping of the bars. Much like making cherry dump cake, you simply layer the toppings substances over the graham cracker crust and drizzle the sweetened condensed milk excessive.

And but one way or the other every thing comes collectively within the oven to convey every thing collectively.

Since these are really easy to assemble, they’re nice for making with youngsters. They’re additionally good once you want a last-minute deal with to take to potlucks, cookouts, or vacation cookie exchanges!

Give these a strive. They’re sure to change into one among your favourite cookie bar recipes!

Find out how to make magic bars

Able to see simply how magical these simple cookie bars are to make?

Elements you’ll want

First, we’ll make the graham cracker crust base. For this, you’ll want:

• 3 cups graham cracker crumbs 
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 10 tablespoons melted salted butter

I normally want round 22 full graham cracker sheets pulsed within the meals processor to get 3 cups of graham cracker crumbs. You may as well purchase containers of graham cracker crumbs for a simple shortcut!

In case you solely have unsalted butter, simply add a small pinch of salt to the crust.

For the topping, you’ll want:

• 1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
• 1 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
• 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• flaky sea salt (optionally available)

Once you’re on the retailer, ensure you purchase sweetened condensed milk and NOT evaporated milk. They’re very completely different and might’t be substituted for one another!

Making these magic cookie bars

These magic bars like to stay to the pan, so I prefer to line my 9×13-inch baking pan with foil, then spray the foil with nonstick spray.

In a big mixing bowl, stir collectively the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter till the crumbs are moistened. Firmly press this combination into the underside of the ready baking pan.

Now evenly sprinkle the in a fair layer nuts over the crust, adopted by the chocolate chips. End with the coconut.

Lastly, drizzle your entire can of sweetened condensed milk excessive. Bake at 350°F for 25-Half-hour, or till flippantly browned on prime.

I prefer to sprinkle the tops of the bars with a little bit of flaky sea salt proper after they come out of the oven. Much like including sea salt to the highest of heath bar cookies, chocolate chipless cookies, or simple chocolate chip cookies, I like the way in which it balances out the sweetness of the cookie bars.

Typically I prefer to sprinkle just a few further chocolate chips excessive proper as they arrive out of the oven, too, simply to make them look fairly.

Let the magic bars cool fully earlier than utilizing the foil to raise them out of the pan. Lower into bars and revel in!

Storage ideas

I like to recommend storing these magic bars in an hermetic container within the fridge, inserting a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper between stacked layers. They’ll keep good for as much as 5 days.

Magic bars additionally freeze properly. Retailer them in a freezer-safe hermetic container with parchment or waxed paper between the layers.

If you’d like further insurance coverage towards the bars sticking collectively, freeze them on a single layer on a baking sheet earlier than including them to the container.

Retailer within the freezer for 2-3 months. Allow them to thaw in a single day within the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature earlier than serving.

Variations and ingredient substitutions

The fantastic thing about making magic bars is there are a number of how they are often tailored to your preferences.

• Use gluten-free graham cracker crumbs for a gluten-free model. Be certain the remainder of your substances are additionally licensed gluten free for those who go this route.
• Use pecans or walnuts, relying in your favourite. Chopped cashews may even work!
• Omit the nuts for those who don’t like them or have a tree nut allergy.
• Change up the kind of chips you utilize! White chocolate chips are a typical swap, however darkish chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, and butterscotch chips would additionally work properly.

Simply ensure you do NOT omit or substitute the coconut or the sweetened condensed milk on this recipe. The coconut is required for getting the correct chewy texture and the condensed milk is required for taste and for bringing every thing collectively within the oven.