Ultimate Magic Bars
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that our little family has recently moved, and although we didn’t move far (only about 10 minutes from where we were living previously), it kind of threw us into a different area in terms of grocery store, restaurant and pizza options. That means we’re ordering pizza from multiple locations to see which one we like the best, figuring out which places are the best for take out, and, maybe most importantly, I’m trying to orient myself with a different grocery store so that it doesn’t take me two hours to shop.
The week that we moved in, my mom was here helping us unpack and she ran out to the grocery store to pick up a few things for us. She stopped at a local bakery on her way back to get an assortment of sweets and, oh my gosh, talk about insane. I had been to the bakery before, but I forgot how amazing the desserts are. I couldn’t stop eating their chocolate caramel bar, which is a five-layer bar, which is basically a magic bar on steroids. I immediately tried to figure out how to recreate it at home.
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My first attempt was a disaster, but this next one was fabulous and I think it’s pretty darn close to those insanely delicious bars. The base is a brown sugar shortbread crust, on top of which I poured a can of sweetened condensed milk, a la magic bars. I then topped the milk with chopped pecans, coconut, caramel and chocolate chips. They’re not quite as epic-looking as the ones from the bakery, but they are every bit as delicious.
The fact that I could stop at that bakery every time I go to the grocery store is totally dangerous!
What’s your favorite bakery treat?
One year ago: Salted Peanut Butter Cup Chocolate Chip Cookies
Four years ago: Gazpacho
Five years ago: Baby Shower Sugar Cookies
Ultimate Magic Bars
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ½ cup (110 g) light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2¼ cups (281.25 g) all-purpose flour
For the Bars:
- 14 ounce (396.89 ml) can sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ cups (148.5 g) coarsely chopped pecans
- 1½ cups (120 g) shredded coconut
- ¼ cup (56.5 ml) caramel sauce, microwaved for 15 seconds
- 1 cup (180 g) semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9x9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, allowing it to hang over all sides.
- Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine. Reduce the mixer speed to low, add the flour and mix until crumbly. Dump the mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Bake until the edges are light golden brown, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, then sprinkle the chopped pecans over the crust, and top with the shredded coconut. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over top, then drizzle with the melted caramel sauce. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and return to the oven until the edges are light brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
- Place pan on a wire rack to cool completely, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before cutting into squares. The bars can be kept at room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I made these a while back when you first published it and forgot to tell you how wonderful and easy they are. Getting ready to make again tomorrow, so I came back to review the instructions. I am going to double the recipe with a 9×13 pan and freeze some. I’ve made so many of your recipes and love every one. I can always depend on you to deliver delicious food and dependable instructions. Thank you so much.
Made these today. These are heaven. Easy recipe. Trader Joe’s salted caramel sauce was perfect. The whole recipe took no time at all. Thank you for a new bar on my Christmas list.
These look unreal I’ll definitely have to try them. Thank you!
Made these yesterday, love em! I liked the caramel addition. Question, do you think the crust would do ok in a 9×13 pan? I thought the crust was just a little bit too thick for me. Txs.
Hi Kellee, I think you could, yes.
These magic bars is perfect treat for study days. Imagine that, no more suffer just joyful. No serious guys, i have to make this. Examinations are right around the corner.
I love your food blog!
What a beautiful recipe and photos. Makes me want to run to the kitchen!
Also, as far as favorite bakey recipes, many years ago I used to go to a bakery (that sadly is no longer in business) that had the most deliciously different corn muffins you can imagine. They had a taste that I was never able to recreate when “reverse engineering” the recipe as I like to say. They had some kind of sweetness to them that wasn’t just sugar or honey. It was so disappointing to me that I never could figure that out. I’ve never found a recipe like it anywhere.
I feel like it’s throwback Thursday because it’s been at least 15 years since I made magic bars! This recipe looks fantastic, so thank you!
This looks amazing! I really want to make it myself but I don’t think you can get canned caramel where I’m from (the Philippines!) is there a recipe that you would recommend to replace the canned stuff with? Thanks!
Hi Dylan, Yes! This is my favorite homemade sauce (you can omit the salt if you just want a plain caramel sauce): https://apex-male.info/homemade-salted-caramel-sauce-recipe/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
I’m glad someone else feels this way! I so feel your pain! We moved a month ago and not far from our old place but everything changes! New stores, new pizza place, a longer trek to Trader Joes on Saturday, and even new walking paths for our dogs. With that said, your magic bars look amazing!!
I make these but use a Gram Cracker crust. And Butter Scotch chips One of my Favorites recipes.But the Short Bread crust sounds even better.
These look delish! I love Bartrams :) I think you moved quite close to my mom’s house where I grew up- if so, try Aviva Brick Oven Pizza in Warrendale- especially their vodka pizza- sooo good!
They look insane. Magic Bars on speed :) And I love magic bars! Pinned!
Well now I’m insanely jealous that you live so close to what looks like an AMAZING bakery! These are going on my must-make list as I love anything with shortbread involved.
Do you think they could be made as individuals in cupcake molds?
Hi Isabel, I haven’t tried that, if you do, let me know how it works out!
These look incredibly insane!
These look so amazing :) I love shortbread — that shortbread crust on the bottom has got to be sooooo good :) And anything with sweetened condensed milk is definitely delicious!
Your timing could not be better! I was just thinking about making Magic Bars for an office birthday party – definitely going to make these – the caramel is a great addition. Thanks Michelle.
BTW – Joseph is absolutely adorable!
These look so good. I’ve never had a magic bar, due to the coconut. I really want to try these. Is there something that can replace the coconut or can it be left out without changing the bars structure? I have all the other ingredients and can’t wait!
Hi Christi, You can omit the coconut if you’d like, there just won’t be as much chewy texture.
I don’t like coconut, but I love these bars!
I love magic bars. They are the perfect picnic treat!
When I worked at a bakery in Cranberry, we used to add butterscotch chips to our Magic bars and Magic bar cupcakes. I think that made them extra special.
As for local pizza shops, I’m always looking for a good one. We love Olives & Peppers, but for quick delivery, we usually default to Adrian’s. If you find a good one, let us know!
I’m sorry, I don’t understand this bit of the instructions:
“The bars can be kept at room temperature, in an airtight container, for up to 5 days.”
How do you manage to keep them for 5 days?? I think I’d struggle with one… Look absolutely delicious, thank you
Daaaang it!! I don’t have time to bake today, so I guess I’ll be running to Bartram to get me some amazing treats. I love their apple strudel and caramel bars. They are my absolute favorite local bakery.
Looks delicious!
Anything with the word magic in the title is bound to be spectacular! This looks like the perfect mixture of magical ingredients! Yum!!!
I shouldn’t have looked before breakfast! No doubt I’ll be making these before sundown!
This looks amazing!
I’m curious, what do you use for the caramel sauce?
Yes, I’d be interested also. Homemade or store-bought?
TJ’s Salted Caramel would be awesome in this!
Hi Shauna, I had some store-bought that needed to be used up, so I used that. But otherwise would definitely prefer homemade!
W-O-W! These absolutely look insane as you have described. I will have to make these for an occasion where several people can enjoy (otherwise I would consume the entire batch in probably one sitting).