Toasted Coconut Magic Bars
These Toasted Coconut Magic Bars are like the classic 7-layer bars with chocolate, nuts, and toasted coconut–the ultimate childhood dessert.
Friends, does this recipe bring you back to your childhood or what? Hand raised – my mom often made these Toasted Coconut Magic Bars, and they didn’t last long in our kitchen . This is my all-time favorite dessert recipe. So the story remains the same, when we make them today.
Toasted Coconut Magic Bars
Even if you hide them in the freezer, they are devoured quickly in our home :)
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!)
Grab these ingredients for Toasted Coconut Magic Bars:
- Graham crackers
- Butter
- Sweetened coconut flakes shredded, toasted (this is what makes this recipe so good!)
- Sweetened condensed milk
- Chocolate chips
- Walnuts, toasted and chopped
Essential Ingredient: Sweetened Condensed Milk
The one essential ingredient in the whole recipe is sweetened condensed milk. Basically, sweetened condensed milk is a sticky, gooey, thick mixture of milk and sugar that caramelizes in the oven.
TIP: Make sure you are not using evaporated milk—the cans look very similar.
It doesn’t seem like something so delicious could result from layering a few ingredients in a baking dish.
But these Coconut Magic Bars are a match made in heaven. I also love the memories of eating these at picnics and camping trips as a kid. You, too? This recipe has been around for many years :)
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.
Make a vegan version of Magic Bars
Sincerely Tori says: “As far as I’m concerned, un-toasted coconut is the equivalent of a nice car that never gets driven. Yes, it’s fine as it is, but there is so much potential.”
HA!
Very true. She also makes a Vegan Magic Cookie Bar recipe! Or, you can try my Vegan Tahini Coconut Chocolate Cookies (if you love chocolate and coconut).
Tips & substitutions:
- Swap out the walnuts for pecans!
- Add a different flavor of chips, like butterscotch or vanilla chips.
- Add cinnamon, if you are a cinnamon lover! Or even cardamom (yum).
I bet you will have a hard time resisting these little bars of deliciousness, like me.
That little bit of crunch they give is just so yummy.
More Scrumptious Toasted Coconut Desserts:
Chocolate Chip Toasted Coconut Cookies
Key Lime Coconut Cheesecake Bars
Blueberry Coconut Baked Oatmeal
Get the Recipe:
Toasted Coconut Magic Bars
Ingredients
- 2 cups graham crackers, crushed
- ½ cup butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups sweetened coconut flakes , shredded and toasted
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
- 1 ¼ cups chocolate chips
- 1 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
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 9x13" 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.
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).