Toasted Coconut Magic Bars
These Toasted Coconut Magic Bars are a 7-layer bar recipe made with a graham cracker base, two kinds of melted chocolate, walnuts, and toasted coconut. It’s the ultimate “anytime” dessert and party treat for gatherings and holidays!
I love a good coconut and chocolate dessert, like an Almond Joy candy bar. These magic cookie bars are made with chocolate chips, nuts, toasted coconut, and condensed milk for the perfect sweet treat. This recipe originated the year I was born as these magic bars from 1963 were a popular dessert that my mom would make often. I remember as a kid, they didn’t last long in our kitchen. I also love the memories of eating these at picnics and camping trips as a kid.
Old-fashioned coconut bars
This is my all-time favorite dessert recipe. So the story remains the same when we make them today. Even if you hide them in the freezer, they are devoured quickly in our home :)
Why are they called 7 layer bars?
Seven-layer bars, also known as Magic Bars, traditionally consist of seven layers: a graham cracker crust, followed by layers of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, shredded coconut, chopped nuts, and a layer of sweetened condensed milk. Our recipe is a tad bit different, as we don’t use the butterscotch chips, but 2 kinds of chocolate instead, and we toast the coconut which I feel is the secret!
These bars are also called 7-Layer Bars or Hello Dollie Bars, and even Millionaire Bars (usually made with shortbread crust).
Why are magic bars gooey?
The one essential ingredient in the whole recipe is sweetened condensed milk. This sticky, gooey, honey-thick condensed milk is what binds all the ingredients together.
TIP: Make sure you are not using evaporated milk—the can looks very similar.
Easy ingredients:
- Graham crackers
- Butter
- Sweetened coconut flakes shredded, toasted (this is what makes this recipe so good!)
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Chocolate chips: we use 2 kinds but you can also use butterscotch or mix up the chocolate
- Nuts: Walnuts, toasted and chopped
How do you make Magic Bars?
- Prepare the baking dish with nonstick spray or parchment paper.
- Toast the walnuts: Place the walnuts on a paper towel and toast in the microwave for 1 minute. Toss, and toast again for 1 minute. Repeat until toasted. Allow to cool and then chop into small pieces.
- Toast the coconut: Use the microwave method and toast on a paper towel, turning every 1-2 minutes until toasted.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until mixed.
- Press the graham cracker crumbs mixture into the bottom of a 9×13″ baking pan, spreading to the corners and pressing down firmly.
- Spread chocolate chips over the crust in an even layer.
- Top the chocolate chip layer with the chopped toasted walnuts.
- Spread the shredded toasted coconut flakes over the top of the walnuts in an even layer.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the layers, making sure it covers all areas evenly.
- Bake for 25 minutes. The coconut on top will be a toasted golden brown.
- Remove from oven; cool. Cut into squares and serve on a platter.
How do you toast the coconut and walnuts?
Toast the walnuts: Place the walnuts on a paper towel and toast in the microwave for one minute. Toss, and toast again for another minute. Repeat until toasted. Allow to cool and then chop into small pieces.
Toast the coconut: Use the microwave method and toast on a paper towel, turning every one to two minutes until toasted.
Let’s just say I’m in love with toasted coconut, then you may also want to try my Pineapple Coconut Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (no butter or oil in the actual cake!)
Tips & substitutions:
- What kind of nuts go in magic cookie bars? Walnuts aren’t the only nut you can use; try other nuts like pecans, peanuts, cashews, or even almonds.
- Add a different flavor of chips, like butterscotch or vanilla chips.
- Add cinnamon, if you are a cinnamon lover! Or even cardamom (yum).
- Bake and freeze: Defrost on the counter before serving.
- Serving: Serve as a dessert for almost any meal!
Do magic bars need to be refrigerated?
While you can store them at room temperature for a few days, refrigeration is better for longer storage and to maintain their quality and freshness. You can store them up to a week.
More scrumptious Toasted Coconut Desserts to try:
- Chocolate Chip Toasted Coconut Cookies
- Key Lime Coconut Cheesecake Bars
- Blueberry Coconut Baked Oatmeal
- Cake with Coconut Filling
Get the Recipe:
Toasted Coconut Magic Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs, or graham crackers crushed
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups sweetened coconut flakes , shredded and toasted
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cups semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
- ¾ cups milk chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
- Prepare the baking dish with nonstick spray or parchment paper.
- Toast the walnuts: Place the walnuts on a paper towel and toast in the microwave for 1 minute. Toss, and toast again for 1 minute. Repeat until toasted. Allow to cool and then chop into small pieces.
- Toast the coconut: Use the microwave method and toast on a paper towel, turning every 1-2 minutes until toasted.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until mixed.
- Press the graham cracker crumbs mixture into the bottom of a 9×13″ baking pan, spreading to the corners and pressing down firmly.
- Spread both kinds of chocolate chips over the crust in an even layer.
- Top the chocolate chip layer with the chopped toasted walnuts.
- Spread the shredded toasted coconut flakes over the top of the walnuts in an even layer.
- Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the layers, making sure it covers all areas evenly.
- Bake for 25 minutes. The coconut on top will be a toasted golden brown.
- Remove from oven; cool. Cut into squares and serve on a platter.
Notes
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
We LOVE these!! They go so fast in my house! I would like to make extra. What is the best way to store them? In the refrigerator or in a sealed container on the counter? Thank you for the delicious recipe!
We just leave in a container on the counter (unless they are all gone – lol).