Magic Cookie Bars are an ooey-gooey treat made with a graham cracker crust and loaded with a variety of candy chips, all topped with a layer of coconut. Try my Chocolate Chip Caramel Bars for another sweet treat.
Magic Cookie Bars or 7 Layer Bars?
These are traditionally called Magin Bars and 7-Layer Bars, but we have been known to call them “garbage bars” because I usually empty out my pantry to make them. The bars are based on a recipe from my Mother-in-Law’s church cookbook and have been around for many, many years!
Variations for Magic Bars
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Magic Bars: Use chocolate chip cookie dough instead of graham cracker crust.
- Lemon Magic Bars: Use a lemon cookie crust and add lemon zest to the coconut filling.
- Peanut Butter Magic Bars: Use a peanut butter cookie crust and add chopped peanuts to the coconut filling.
- Caramel Magic Bars: Drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the bars before baking.
- Mint Magic Bars: Use mint chocolate cookies for the crust and add peppermint extract to the coconut filling.
- Berry Magic Bars: Spread a layer of your favorite berry jam or preserve over the crust before adding the coconut filling.
And there are many more variations you can experiment with depending on your preferences!
Storing, Freezing, and Thawing Instructions for Magic Bars
Storing:
- Allow the bars to cool completely before storing them.
- Place the bars in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.
- Store the bars in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Freezing:
- Allow the bars to cool completely before freezing them.
- Cut the bars into individual servings, this makes it easier to thaw only what you need.
- Wrap the individual bars tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped bars in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Be sure to label and date.
Thawing:
- Remove the desired number of bars from the freezer and allow them to thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for several hours.
- You can also thaw them quickly by wrapping them in a damp paper towel and microwaving them on the defrost setting for 1-2 minutes.
More Delicious Bars
Garbage Bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 can (15 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup peanut butter chips
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips, or semi-sweet
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
- ½ cup butterscotch chips
- 1 cup coconut flakes or sweetened shredded coconut, (you can use up to 1 ½ cups)
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Melt butter in the microwave or small saucepan over low heat. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over the bottom of a 9×13 pan then pour butter over the crumbs. Flatten out crumbs with a fork and make sure butter is evenly incorporated.
- Evenly pour two cups of morsels* over the graham cracker crust.
- Pour condensed milk over morsels.
- Cover with coconut flakes. (Or shredded coconut)
- Bake 25 minutes. Edges will be brown and center should not jiggle.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
These sounds incredible – all manner of naughty though, not good for my diet!
Amanda,
My friend introduced me to your blog about 2 years ago and since then I’m in love! You are such a talented person! Baking is my favorite thing to do and for me you are a role model! To be able to make such wonderful creations, run a blog and take care of children. What is your secret?! Are you a super-woman?
As for these yummy bars – what can I use instead of graham crackers? And did I get it right? There is no need to mix anything? These are truly magic bars!!!
I assume you could use any cookie as a substitute… Oreo, shortbread, something along those lines. Thanks so much for the kind words! 🙂
well thanks a lot 🙂
Oh, Amanda, I’d eat this garbage any day of the week. Any. Day. xo
Being able to raid the pantry and create something this amazing is a special gift! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I love magic bars! Yours look super yummy! I add coconut on top of mine too!
I am craving your Garbage Bars right now. I agree with Summer. You have a “special gift”. Not everyone can just raid their pantry and create such awesomeness.
hey if i dont get peanut chips, can i used crushed peanuts? and 1 14oz condensed milk is approx how many grams?
Love these! They are sometimes called ‘Hello, Dolly’ bars, too.
Would this recipe work cooked in a covered pan on a hot plate? I don’t have an oven right now.
I have no idea, sorry. I am not familiar with that form of baking.
These are a classic! But can we stop the practice of giving delicious treats gross names? Magic bars, 7-layer bars, yes! Garbage: no.
I grew up with the name, and like it. 🙂
I’m sorry – my comment sounded more negative than I intended! I just picture my beautiful, elegant grandmother baking them back in the 60’s (which had its own wild food names!) and can’t hear her offering us “garbage”. But tradition is tradition! (PS, love your creativity.)