pure magic…
- posted by: Legends
- posted in: Uncategorized
- on: December 15, 2007
For a few years now I’ve occasionally enjoyed a truly delightful treat at my awesome grocery store’s bakery. It’s called a magic bar, and basically it’s a brownie layer topped with coconut, walnuts, and chocolate chips. I’ve always wondered how to re-create it- knowing that there had to be one ’secret’ ingredient that I just couldn’t figure out… but I never bothered to search food websites because I figured that when a major craving struck it is probably better to just go buy one (vs eating a whole pan full!)
So, the other day I was watching one of my favorite TV stars (Paula Deen) and she was making these bar cookies with a graham cracker crust. The toppings were very similar to my grocery store’s “magic bar”… so I decided to give it a go and see if sweetened condensed milk is indeed the “magic” ingredient…
it is. So here’s what you do.
- Mix up a batch of brownies (I just used store-bought mix) and put into a pan. I used a 13 x 9 pan (VS 8×8 that I usually use for brownies) because I wanted them to be much thinner. Once poured into pan bake for 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees.
- Take the brownie out, and top with a bag of chocolate chips, sprinkle with walnuts, shredded coconut, and finally drizzle a whole can (12oz, I think) of sweetened condensed milk over the top. Don’t worry that the milk doesn’t cover every inch- that’s ok. The main thing is to just drizzle it all over and try not to get big pools of it in any one spot.
- Put back into oven (350) for another 25 minutes or so- until the coconut is all golden and beautiful.
- Take out of the oven and let it cool THOUROUGHLY. This step is important because with all that melted chocolate swimming around- well you want to let it set back up before cutting into it. If you like warm brownies you can always cut your slice (after cooled) and microwave it for a few seconds.
- Enjoy!
You could probably add dried cranberries, cherries, other kinds of nuts or chips… whatever you like. But beware- these are pure magic. VERY delicious indeed. I’m off to bake up another batch for my cookie plates…
Kelly Jo says:
December 15th, 2007 at 5:14 pmI remember these!!!!!
They are so delicious.
Just wondering…in January are you going to have an exercise challenge? All these delicious cookies are so not good for my figure, but they are so worth every bite.
kimberlee says:
December 15th, 2007 at 6:08 pmOMG, I’ve never heard of these with a brownie crust!! Magic cookie bars (sans nuts and butterscotch chips) were his fave growing up. The recipe is on the Kellog’s cornflake crumbs box. (So I’ve never had them with Paula’s graham cracker crust, which is probably just as good!) He now makes them for everyone and then all our friends get hooked and ask for them each year! I can’t wait to try these with a brownie crust!
Loving all the baked goodies you’re posting, May!!
Beth Williams says:
December 15th, 2007 at 6:15 pmAh yes-Miss Paula is from down the road a piece as we are so fond of saying here. Knew it sounded good when you mentioned it!
Brenmarie says:
December 15th, 2007 at 7:24 pmMagic bar… hummm… I have a recipe that says magic bar and is just like that one. They sure are great. My sister made them this year for a Christmas treat and they are delicious!!
BizzyBee says:
December 15th, 2007 at 7:35 pmI’ve made the graham cracker crumb version many times and everyone loves them! I’ll have to give the brownier version a try…I bet they are divine ! yummmo !
Thanks for the new idea!
Bonnie says:
December 15th, 2007 at 7:36 pmjust printed this recipe so I can try them - sound delish!!! I agree with Kelly Jo, will definitely need an exercise challenge in January!!!
cheryl says:
December 15th, 2007 at 7:47 pmThese have been favorites for years.
Jennifer #1626 says:
December 15th, 2007 at 8:26 pmOMGosh. This sounds incredible!!
Jennifer Muller says:
December 15th, 2007 at 11:51 pmI actually just made the graham cracker crust version, with chocolate chips and toffee pieces…they are cooling right now…yum! I’ll have to try the brownie ones. This little bean in my belly is sure loving all these Christmas goodies!
mariah says:
December 16th, 2007 at 12:10 amUp close it looks really good.. I never tasted one.. I hope Brenda saved one for me.
Kristan says:
December 16th, 2007 at 2:19 amYUM!
Merlene says:
December 16th, 2007 at 9:07 amI’ve made the graham caracker cust version too, but the brownie base sounds wonderful. I’m going to try them next year.
Sandi says:
December 16th, 2007 at 5:13 pmThank you for posting this. I have all the things to make this. I am going to make some for cookie trays too. Time to go make some magic.
Thanks
Sandi
Betsy says:
December 16th, 2007 at 6:46 pmI love the graham cracker ones never tried them with brownies….YUM
Patti Smith says:
December 16th, 2007 at 10:23 pmI did this recipe years ago with the graham cracker crust also and had totally forgot about it. Thanks for sharing this May I will make this for our Christmas…..
Cherie says:
December 16th, 2007 at 11:04 pmYum O !!!! Thanks for sharing the recipe I like you other add ins (cranberry / cherries) OMG!!!!!
melita says:
December 17th, 2007 at 2:45 amThese sound so yummy! Might have to make these for the Christmas gathering so that I won’t be responsible for eating them all by myself =)
erin yamabe says:
December 17th, 2007 at 4:17 amone of my FAVES that my mom has made for years! don’t know what she calls them, but they look identical! happy you’ve found success!
Paula says:
December 17th, 2007 at 4:32 amOh yum - my mouth is watering. You always come up with the best recipes May
JANETRIVS says:
December 20th, 2007 at 4:40 pmHow yummy! it looks so complicated to make but apprently it isnt.. I am gonna have to do this… Thanks!