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.

STEP 1: Pulse the Crumbs. Melt butter and combine with graham cracker crumbs. Mix until crumbly.
STEP 2: Make crust. Press graham cracker crumbs firmly into the bottom of a 13×9 baking dish lined with parchment paper.
STEP 3: Add toppings. Top the graham cracker crust with milk chocolate chips, quick cook oats, butterscotch chips and M&M’S candies.
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).

Coconut Almond Bars
Smores Cookie Bars – also with a graham cracker crust!
Raspberry Shortbread Bars
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Gingerbread Cookie Bars
Cranberry Orange Cookie Bars
Rainbow Bars

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