Magic Cookie Bars - The Dessert That Made Me Famous

sweetened condensed milk

🥗Healthier: coconut cream

💰Cheaper: evaporated milk + sugar

Coconut cream provides a dairy-free option while evaporated milk + sugar is more economical.

semisweet chocolate chips

🥗Healthier: dark chocolate chips

💰Cheaper: chocolate bar chopped

Dark chocolate chips have less sugar while a chopped chocolate bar can be more affordable.

butterscotch chips

🥗Healthier: caramel chips

💰Cheaper: toffee bits

Caramel chips offer a similar flavor while toffee bits can be less expensive.

chopped nuts

🥗Healthier: pumpkin seeds

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Pumpkin seeds are a healthier nut alternative while sunflower seeds are typically cheaper.

Start with 1/2 cup of softened butter and some brown sugar in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer.

Cream the butter and brown sugar together until fluffy.

Crack in 1 egg and add about 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, mixing well.

In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, crushed graham crackers, baking soda, and a little salt.

With the mixer on low, slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a guard to prevent mess.

Finish mixing the dough by hand and fold in 1 cup of butterscotch chips with a spatula.

Line an 8x8 square baking dish with parchment paper or grease it with oil.

Dump the dough into the pan and press it down evenly.

Bake the base at 350°F for 5 minutes.

Remove the base from the oven (it won't be fully cooked).

Add a layer of chopped pecans on top of the base.

Sprinkle semisweet chocolate chips over the pecans, using as many as desired.

Add a layer of sweetened shredded coconut on top.

Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over the toppings, ensuring coverage of the coconut.

Return the dish to the oven and bake at 350°F for about 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown.

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares or bars.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens