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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Brownies and Bars

    Magic Bars Recipe with Shortbread Crust

    Published: Sep 8, 2022 · Modified: Sep 20, 2022 by Ang Paris · 2 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links·

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    These shortbread crust bars are loaded with chocolate and toffee chips, sweet coconut, and crunchy pecans - they're the best seven layer bars without graham crackers you've ever tasted!
    Total Time 25 minutes
    Jump to Recipe Add to Favorites Go to Collections Print Recipe
    This dense, buttery Shortbread Magic Bars Recipe is a must-have for entertaining! This recipe takes traditional magic bar ingredients like chocolate and coconut to a whole new level by making the crust from shortbread instead of graham crackers. via @jugglingactmama

    This dense, buttery Shortbread Magic Bars Recipe is a must-have for entertaining! This recipe takes traditional magic bar ingredients like chocolate and coconut to a whole new level by making the crust from shortbread instead of graham crackers. It is the perfect mashup of cookie meets bar!

    Shortbread Magic Bars on white plate.
    Our easy magic bars recipe has rich shortbread topped with coconut, walnuts, chocolate and more!
    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
    • 🧂 Ingredients
    • 🔪Instructions
    • Equipment
    • 💭 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 📖 Variations
    • ⏲️ Storage
    • 😋 Similar Recipes
    • 📋 Magic Bars
    • Shortbread Magic Bars Recipe
    • New Posts You'll Love
    • 💬 Comments

    So I'll admit I'm late to the Magic Bar game. Growing up my mother made raspberry bars, which I guess would fall into the Magic Bar category.... kinda sorta.

    While I've always enjoyed that treat, graham cracker crumb crusts are not my favorite.

    Shortbread, on the other hand; like these Homemade Twix Cookies is a whole other matter! Let's face it, I'm a sucker for anything with loads of butter and sugar!

    ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe

    These bars are absolutely, undeniably one of the most magical things I have ever put in my mouth. The shortbread with the decadence from the chocolate and the caramel is utterly amazing!

    Now seven layer bars might be one of the easiest desserts, but these delicious bars are not far off. It's an easy recipe that's great for holiday parties, or just because!

    Woman holding shortbread Magic Bars with toffee chips.
    Everyone loves these magic cookie bars without graham crackers!

    🧂 Ingredients

    • Unsalted butter
    • Brown sugar
    • Vanilla extract
    • All-purpose flour
    • Salt
    • Sweetened condensed milk
    • Pecans
    • Coconut
    • Toffee chips
    • Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • Dark chocolate chips

    🔪Instructions

    This is meant to be a brief overview of the magic bars recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below or Jump to Recipe.

    These shortbread magic bars are sure to be a new family favorite.  I know I can't get enough of them!

    1. Preheat the oven to 350-degrees, line a 9×9 square baking pan with parchment paper.
    2. Add butter and brown sugar a bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract, mix to combine.
    3. Next, scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the flour slowly, with the mixer set on the lowest speed.
    4. Press the mixture it into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown.
    5. Remove from the oven and cool.
    6. Sprinkle the crust with chopped nuts and coconut.
    7. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top. Top with chocolate chips, toffee chips and dark chocolate chips.
    8. Place the pan back in the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes.
    9. Remove from oven, cool completely.
    10. Refrigerate before using the parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan.
    11. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    Equipment

    The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    • Baking Pan - see notes
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Dry Measuring Cups
    • Large Mixing Bowl

    Be sure to check out my Juggling Act Mama Storefront on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of great products to make your life easier! Thanks so much for being a part of Juggling Act Mama ❤

    💭 Frequently Asked Questions

    Here are some questions (and answers!) readers often ask about this magic cookie bar recipe.

    Do magic cookie bars need refrigerated?

    No, these do not need to be refrigerated. If they had eggs, I'd say yes but they will keep well as long as they are well-sealed.

    Do magic bars freeze well?

    They freeze very nicely! If you decide to make a double batch and freeze half you'll be glad you did!

    How long do these bars last?

    Technically they will last 2-3 weeks when well sealed BUT I've never had them last longer than a couple of days in our home! 😋

    How do you know the bars are done baking?

    You can test them with a toothpick, or keep an eye on them. When they are done they will just begin to pull away from the side of the pan.

    📖 Variations

    We recommend that you try our magic bar recipe for the first time just as it is written for the best results because that is how the recipe has been tested.

    However, the next time you make it, you might consider one of these different ways of making this great recipe.

    Swap out the toppings if you like.  Here are some ideas:

    • Chopped walnuts, hazlenuts or macadamia nuts
    • Love white chocolate? Use that instead of dark chocolate.
    • Add butterscotch chips instead of toffee!
    • Hate coconut? Leave it out.
    • Add your favorite candies like chopped Rolo's or peanut butter cups.
    • Sprinkle in dried cranberries (delicious with white chocolate chips).
    • Add a sprinkle of sea salt to the top for a little salted caramel flavor.
    • Drop on some pretzel pieces for a little crunch and salt.

    If you love it, there's really no wrong combination for toppings!

    MAGIC BARS RECIPE WITH SHORTBREAD CRUST STORY

    ⏲️ Storage

    To Store: Be sure to store them in an airtight container. (These are my favorite containers.) They do not need to be refrigerated but they are delicious when chilled.

    To Freeze: Allow your magic bars to cool completely. Wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or freezer paper and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    To Thaw: Remove the magic bars from the freezer and unwrap them. Place them into an airtight container and allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge.

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    😋 Similar Recipes

    Next time, try one of these tasty recipes:

    • Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bars - this one is a family favorite
    • Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake Balls - such a fun treat
    • Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies - chocolate perfection
    • Decadent Mocha Truffles - decadent and amazing
    • Homemade Twix Cookies - delicious buttery and sweet
    • Shortbread Cookies with Confetti - fun and festive cookies
    Samoa Bars
    With a tender shortbread crust, coconut, chocolate, and caramel bits, these Samoa Bars are inspired by the ever-popular Samoa Girl Scout Cookie.
    Get the Recipe >>>
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    Raspberry Oat Bars with a sweet crumb topping are a cinch to make. They are just divine for your bake sales, potlucks, parties or as an afterschool snack.
    Get the Recipe >>>
    These Raspberry Jam Oatmeal bars are a quick and easy dessert or snack idea! Change up the flavor by changing the jam!
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    These bars have a chewy fig filling topped with buttery oatmeal and brown sugar strudel - the perfect afternoon snack!
    Get the Recipe >>>
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    Pin for Later

    📋 Magic Bars

    Not ready to make this magic cookie bars recipe yet? Don’t forget to pin the recipe for later.

    When you do make it, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below; it totally makes my day!

    Close up of 7 layer bars without graham crackers.

    Shortbread Magic Bars Recipe

    These shortbread crust bars are loaded with chocolate and toffee chips, sweet coconut, and crunchy pecans - they're the best seven layer bars without graham crackers you've ever tasted!
    Add to Your Recipe BoxGo to Collections
    4.60 from 32 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Magic Bars Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Crust Bake: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 18 bars
    Calories: 384kcal
    Author: Ang Paris

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Equipment

    • Baking Pan - see notes
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Dry Measuring Cups
    • Large Mixing Bowl

    Ingredients

    For the Crust:

    • 1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2-¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • pinch of salt

    For the Topping:

    • 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
    • 1 cups chopped pecans
    • 1 cup shredded coconut
    • 1 cup toffee chips
    • 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • ¾ cup dark chocolate chips

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F. Line a 9x9 square baking pan with parchment paper so that it hangs over the sides. (This will make the bars easier to remove).
    • Add the butter and brown sugar to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Beat until fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
      1 cup unsalted butter, ½ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then add in the flour and salt slowly, with the mixer set on the lowest speed.
      2-¼ cups all-purpose flour, pinch of salt
    • Once the mixture is combined, press it into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes until the edges of the crust are golden brown.
    • Remove from the oven and set on a wire rack.
    • Sprinkle the crust with the chopped pecans and shredded coconut.
      1 cups chopped pecans, 1 cup shredded coconut
    • Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the top and then add the mini semisweet chocolate chips, toffee chips and dark chocolate chips.
      1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup toffee chips, 1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, ¾ cup dark chocolate chips
    • Place the pan back in the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
    • Refrigerate for 30 minutes before using the parchment paper to remove the bar from the pan. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

    For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 43mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 477IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg
    Please Note: I am not a registered dietician. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.
    Tried this recipe? Pin It for Later!Mention @jugglingactmama or tag #jugglingactmama!

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    Comments

    1. Carlee says

      October 03, 2018 at 7:48 am

      5 stars
      I am in LOVE with shortbread, too! These look totally yummy and I am pinning it because I think I'll make them for our next book club meeting.
      I really like your recipes!

      Reply
      • Ang Paris says

        October 04, 2018 at 3:25 am

        Thank you so much for your sweet words, you made my day!!

        Reply

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