Magic Cookie Bars Recipe

The BEST, Easy Magic Cookie Bars recipe is now at your fingertips. You’ll love this 7 layer, chewy treat, that’s so versatile for holidays or a sweet treat any day!

Magic cookie bars with butterscotch and M&M's cut into bars.


Why This Recipe is Best

I have a confession.

It took me 45 years to try my first Magic Cookie Bar. And I’m not stopping now!

Have you tried these, or are you wondering, “what is a magic cookie bar?”

Magic Cookies Bars are layers of delicious ingredients that create a chewy, decadent bar….like magic.

Today’s version is a little more kid friendly than the original 7 Layer Bar! No coconut here.

I had a bag of pastel M&M’s candies left over in my pantry from Easter, so thought I would use it in this Magic Bar recipe.

  • Graham cracker crust forms the base of these bars.
  • A sweet and chewy cookie layer in the middle.
  • LOADED with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and M&Ms!

Be sure to buy some extra candies to make our delicious M&M cookies next. Or add some to our M&M brownies!

Ingredient Notes

Ingredients needed to make magic cookie bars.
  • Graham Cracker Crumbs – I prefer to pulse my own in the food processor, rather than using store-bought crumbs. But those will work in a pinch and save you a step.
  • Quick Cook Oats – I don’t recommend substituting whole rolled oats or steel cut oats. They are not as processed and won’t soften as much in the cookie bars.
  • Milk Chocolate Chips – These add great flavor and sweetness, but you could also substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips if you prefer.
  • Butterscotch Chips – You can find butterscotch chips in the baking aisle near the chocolate chips.
  • M&M Candies – Any variety of M&Ms will work in these bars.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk – This helps create the fudgy cookie layer, doing most of the work for us!

How to Make Magic Bars

Step by step photos showing how to make magic cookie bars.
  1. STEP 1: Pulse the Crumbs. Melt butter and combine with graham cracker crumbs. Mix until crumbly.
  2. STEP 2: Make crust. Press graham cracker crumbs firmly into the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish lined with parchment paper.
  3. STEP 3: Add toppings. Top the graham cracker crust with milk chocolate chips, quick cook oats, butterscotch chips and M&M’S candies.
  4. STEP 4: Add milk. Pour can of sweetened condensed milk all over the top. Bake and cool.

Tips and Tricks

  • Line your baking dish with parchment paper to easily remove the bars once baked and help them release cleanly.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting. The bars will be soft at first but they will firm up as they set and cool.
  • Love nuts? Walnuts or toasted pecans go really well with this magic cookie bar recipe. Just add them on top when you add your chocolate chips!
  • Additional add-ins. Feel free to add any of the following for extra magic if desired: peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, Reese’s peanut butter cups, shredded toasted coconut and/or 1/2 cup light brown sugar.
Two magic bars stacked on a white plate.

Recipe FAQs

Can I add coconut to these magic bars?

Absolutely, and many recipes feature coconut. My husband is not a coconut fan, so I used quick cook oats instead. You can add 1 cup of sweetened, shredded coconut if you prefer (keep or remove the oats, your choice)!

How do I store Magic Bars?

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature. (I prefer mine chilled.) They will keep for up to 1 week.

Can I freeze Magic Bars?

Yes! After they are baked and cooled, slice them into bars. Then slide them into a freeze safe ziploc bag (or container). Freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight at room temperature (or in the refrigerator).

Batch of magic bars cut into squares.

Magic Cookie Bars

4.78 from 18 votes
By: Aimee
The BEST, Easy Magic Cookie Bars recipe is now at your fingertips. You'll love this 7 layer, chewy treat, that's so versatile for holidays or any day!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 24 bars

Ingredients 

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs 12 full size crackers
  • 1 can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
  • ½ cup quick cook oats
  • 1 cup butterscotch morsels
  • 1 cup M&M’s candies any variety
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13×9 baking dish with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.
  • Process graham crackers using a food processor to make fine crumbs. Add in melted butter. Mix with a fork until crumbly.
  • Press crumbs into the bottom of prepared baking pan.
  • Top crust with chocolate chips, oats, butterscotch, and M&M’S. Pour sweetened condensed milk over the top.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely.
  • Store in airtight container at room temperature or refrigerator (MY CHOICE).

Notes

  • Line your baking dish with parchment paper to easily remove the bars once baked and help them release cleanly.
  • Let the bars cool completely before cutting. The bars will be soft at first but they will firm up as they set and cool.
  • Love nuts? Walnuts or pecans go really well with this magic cookie bar recipe. Just add them on top when you add your chocolate chips!
  • Additional add-ins. Feel free to add any of the following for extra magic if desired: peanut butter chips, white chocolate chips, Reese’s peanut butter cups, shredded coconut and/or 1/2 cup light brown sugar.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 233kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 62mg, Potassium: 120mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 24g, Vitamin A: 182IU, Vitamin C: 0.5mg, Calcium: 74mg, Iron: 0.4mg
Course: Brownies and Bars
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Magic Cookie Bars are an easy, 7 layer cookie dessert. Chewy and decadent, you’ll love these for holidays or bake sales!



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About Aimee

Aimee is a dessert lover (specifically rice krispie treats), workout enthusiast, self-taught foodie, and recipe creator.

Learn more about Aimee.

Affiliate Disclosure:**There may be affiliate links in this post! By clicking on them, or purchasing recommended items I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I love! Thank you for supporting Shugary Sweets! See my disclosure policy for more info**

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Posted on June 9, 2023

Comments & Reviews

  1. OMG!! I’ve been following you for years….😱
    And that’s a good thing…thanks for many wonderful & tasty recipes!!

  2. Any idea if they would turn out the same (or similar) using gluten free graham crackers? Would love to bake some for my nephews but they are all on a GF diet. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

  3. You missed pouring the sweetened condensed milk in the final recipe. Love the change ups tho’!

    Thanks for sharing!

  4. I’m sitting here shocked that you have just recently tried magic bars?!?!?!?! They are one of my favorites and so fun to change up ingredients on!

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