Meet the classic family recipe that has gotten a modern, dairy-free twist. Introducing my 6 Ingredient Easy Magic Bars, aka the simplest and easiest dessert that is sure to impress your entire family. This recipe comes together with just graham crackers, dairy-free butter, walnuts, coconut shreds, chocolate chips, and coconut condensed milk, for a lighter alternative on this comforting recipe. Plus, with just a few minutes of prep required, this recipe truly couldn’t be any easier to put together. Minimal baking skills required!
Friends, some of my favorite recipes to create are the ones that happen to be recreations of your classic childhood recipes. Whether that’s the classic Chocolate Chip Cookies or Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, there is nothing better to me than capturing the taste and flavor of a classic recipe, but recreating it with healthier ingredients. While I don’t believe that everything has to be made healthy all of the time (after all, there’s no such thing as a “bad” food and a healthy diet leaves room for ALL foods to be on the table), I do like to provide healthier options that allow you to enjoy the desserts that you know and love, but without the extra calories, dairy, gluten, or sugar. Take these Easy Magic Bars, for example.
If you’ve never had Magic Bars before, then let me introduce you to this cult-classic dessert that is, truly, magical. These bars are a staple in most American grandma’s kitchens, and consists of just a few simple ingredients: chocolate chips, crushed graham crackers, unsweetened coconut flakes, butter, walnuts, and condensed milk. This recipe includes all of the same ingredients, but swaps out the dairy condensed milk and butter for coconut condensed milk and dairy-free butter, proving that eating dairy-free can oftentimes be just as delicious.
Plus, if you also want to make this recipe gluten-free, you can easily swap out the graham crackers for a gluten-free alternative (my favorites are linked below!) Whether you have food allergies or prefer to keep your desserts lighter, there’s truly no wrong way to make this recipe.
Oh, and these bars also happen to be perfect for prepping ahead. Simply prepare the bars according to the instructions below, being sure to bake them, cool them, and slice them. Then, cover the tray with plastic wrap, transfer it into the fridge, and enjoy these bars whenever the craving strikes! Whether you enjoy them hot or cold, you truly can’t go wrong. Both versions are just as delicious!
The 6 Ingredients You’ll Need to Make These Bars
- Graham Crackers: You’ll need crushed graham cracker crumbs to make these bars. If you want to keep these bars gluten-free, these are my favorite gluten-free graham crackers to use!
- Butter: If you want to keep this recipe dairy-free, use dairy-free butter. If not, you can use regular butter. Either one works well and both will yield the most delicious, buttery Magic Bars!
- Walnuts: While traditional Magic Bars don’t include walnuts, I love the delicious, crunchy element that walnuts add to this recipe.
- Unsweetened Coconut Shreds: Since these bars are plenty sweet on their own, thanks to the condensed milk, you’ll want to use unsweetened coconut flakes, to avoid these bars becoming too sweet.
- Chocolate Chips: Pick your favorite chocolate chips and use them in these bars! If you want to get even more creative, you can also add in white chocolate chips or butterscotch chips, too.
- Coconut Condensed Milk: And while traditional Magic Bars aren’t vegan-friendly, this recipe is by swapping out coconut condensed milk instead. And if you want to use dairy condensed milk, that also works too. As always, I recommend using what you already have!
How to Make These Easy, Dairy-Free Magic Bars
To make these bars, start by preheating your oven to 350F. Prepare the graham cracker crust. Crush the graham crackers into crumbs and add them to a bowl. Next, melt the butter and add it to the bowl with the crushed graham crackers. Mix them until fully combined.
Then, line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper. Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the dish, using a spatula to ensure it’s even. Then, sprinkle the crushed walnuts, unsweetened coconut shreds, and chocolate chips on top.
Once the layers have been formed, use your hands to flatten them as much as possible. Then, pour the coconut condensed milk on top into a smooth, even layer.
Transfer the tray into the oven and allow the bars to bake for 35 minutes, until the edges are golden and crispy. Once they’re done, remove the tray from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares.
Once they’re cool, serve them and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to one week.
If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.
** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim
Equipment
- 8×8 Baking Dish an 8×8 baking dish is the perfect pan for preparing these bars!
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Gluten-Free Graham Crackers, crushed
- ½ Cup Vegan Butter, melted – or substitute dairy butter
- 1 ¼ Cups Walnuts, crushed
- 1 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Shreds
- 1 ½ Cups Chocolate Chips
- 1 11 Ounce Can Coconut Condensed Milk, or substitute regular condensed milk
Instructions
- To make these bars, start by preheating your oven to 350F.
- Prepare the graham cracker crust. Crush the graham crackers into crumbs and add them to a bowl.
- Next, melt the butter and add it to the bowl with the crushed graham crackers. Mix them until fully combined.
- Then, line an 8×8 square baking dish with parchment paper.
- Press the graham cracker mixture into the bottom of the dish, using a spatula to ensure it’s even.
- Then, sprinkle the crushed walnuts, unsweetened coconut shreds, and chocolate chips on top.
- Once the layers have been formed, use your hands to flatten them as much as possible.
- Then, pour the coconut condensed milk on top into a smooth, even layer.
- Transfer the tray into the oven and allow the bars to bake for 35 minutes, until the edges are golden and crispy.
- Once they're done, remove the tray from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely before slicing into squares.
- Once they're cool, serve them and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge, for up to one week.
Rate & review
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