Magic Cookies

At this point, magic cookie bars (also known as “seven-layer bars” or “Hello Dolly bars”) should be declared obligatory for any event where a dessert table is involved. They’re a guaranteed to please as a potluck dessert—equal parts sweet, chewy, chocolaty and satisfying. So with a dessert recipe this good, why would you ever do anything to mess with perfection? Because, believe it or not, the recipe can be made even better. At least that’s the case when you’re transforming this vintage dessert recipe into magic cookies.

This recipe contains all the same delightful ingredients as classic magic cookie bars, only instead of spreading the mixture into a 13-by-9 pan over a graham cracker crust, the dough is scooped into mounds and baked on a sheet pan like a batch of your favorite coconut macaroons. The result is a divine cookie recipe with all the decadent chew of the original, plus crisp, caramelized edges that take these magical treats to new levels of yum. Bring a tray to your next gathering—we guarantee you won’t return home with leftovers.

Ingredients for Magic Cookies

• Shredded coconut: Just like the bars, the base for magic cookies is predominantly sweetened shredded coconut. You can choose coarsely or finely shredded coconut, as both will work great for this coconut dessert. Just avoid using flaked coconut as it will not bind properly with the other ingredients.
• Graham cracker crumbs: Graham crackers lend flavor and act as a binding ingredient, holding the chunky dough together once mixed with the sweetened condensed milk.
• Rolled oats: Oats are not traditional in magic bars, but old-fashioned oats help give these cookies extra body so they can be shaped into cookies without falling completely flat in the oven.
• Chocolate chips: You can’t have magic cookies without a generous amount of melty chocolate chips. For the best taste, make sure to source a bag of your favorite chocolate chips.
• Butterscotch chips: We love recipes with butterscotch. The sweet, buttery, caramel-like flavor contrasts with the saltiness of the cashews and complements the coconut and chocolate.
• Cashews: Magic cookies have plenty of chewiness thanks to the coconut and oats, but a few handfuls of nuts lend a wonderful crunch and saltiness to contrast their sweetness.
• Sweetened condensed milk: This ingredient is essential for magic cookies and magic bars alike. The sweetened condensed milk acts as a sticky, sweet glue to help the cookies hold together when shaped into mounds. If you don’t have a can at home, try making a sweetened condensed milk substitute with milk and sugar.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the ingredients

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two 15x10x1-inch baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside.

In a large bowl, add the sweetened shredded coconut, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, chopped cashews, graham crackers crumbs and sweetened condensed milk, and mix until they’re thoroughly combined.

Step 2: Scoop the dough

Scoop the dough into heaping mounds (of about two tablespoons each) and space them two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 3: Bake the cookies

Bake the cookies for 14 to 16 minutes until the edges are lightly golden. Remove and let them cool on the pans until fully set, about 10 minutes. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Editor’s Tip: For a more attractive appearance, you can scoot the cookies into perfect circles using a four-inch round cookie cutter while they are fresh and hot from the oven.

Magic Cookies Variations

• Go nut-free: If you prefer your magic cookies to be nut-free, you can omit the nuts from the recipe. Alternatively, you can substitute walnuts or pecans for the cashews.
• Make magic with peanut butter: If you love peanut butter desserts, you can add up to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the dough during the mixing stage. If your dough is a bit too loose, add 1/4 cup of additional graham cracker crumbs to help bring things together.
• Add more baking chips: Magic bars often swap different flavored baking chips for a custom flavor. Opt for dark, white, milk, peanut butter, mint or caramel chips instead. So long as you keep the total amount of chips to 2-1/2 cups, these magic cookies will turn out perfectly.
• Try another type of crumb: If you don’t have graham cracker crumbs, use an equal amount of vanilla or chocolate wafers, Oreos or even gingersnaps. Pulse them a few times in a food processor and you’re good to go.

How to Store Magic Cookies

Once the magic cookies are cooled to room temperature, store them in an airtight container.

How long do magic cookies last?

Magic cookies will last for up to five days.

Can you freeze magic cookies?

Yes! If you want a secret stash of freezer cookies to enjoy later, store them in an airtight freezer-safe container for up to two months. To prevent the cookies from sticking together, separate layers of cookies with pieces of parchment paper. Thaw them for an hour or two at room temperature before enjoying them.

Magic Cookies Tips

What if the cookie dough is too sticky?

If the magic cookie dough is too sticky or too thin to be scooped into mounds, you can add additional oats or graham cracker crumbs to the mixture until you achieve the desired consistency.

What if the cookie dough is too dry?

If the dough is too crumbly and isn’t holding together on the tray, add more sweetened condensed milk. If you don’t have an extra can available to use, add a bit of honey or maple syrup to the mixture, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough clumps together when scooped.

Are magic cookies gluten-free?

No, magic cookies aren’t gluten-free due to the inclusion of graham cracker crumbs. If you’d like to make gluten-free magic cookies, choose gluten-free graham crackers. You may also wish to use gluten-free rolled oats to ensure they were processed in a facility free from wheat and gluten-containing products.

Can you make vegan magic cookies?

While we have not tested these cookies with vegan alternatives, readers have reported success using sweetened condensed coconut milk to make traditional magic bars vegan. If you’re up for an experiment, you can try substituting sweetened condensed coconut milk for the sweetened condensed milk in the magic cookies. Source vegan chocolate chips, butterscotch chips and graham crackers, too, if you want a completely vegan cookie recipe.