Magic Cookie Bars from when I was so young
- Carbohydrate 92.6541203125 g
- Cholesterol 53.232125 mg
- Fat 40.1478784375 g
- Fiber 5.18415932768583 g
- Protein 12.5392715625 g
- Saturated Fat 19.776088625 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (174g)
- Sodium 572.94465625 mg
- Sugar 87.4699609848142 g
- Trans Fat 2.06995609374999 g
- Calories 753 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees
- In a 13x9 inch baking pan, melt butter in oven.
- Sprinkle Graham Cracker crumbs over butter.
- Pour Condensed milk over crumbs.
- Top with remaining ingredients (flaked cocnut, chopped nuts and chocolate chips).
- Press down firmly.
- Bake 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned.
- Cool and cut into squares.
- Store loosely covered at room temperature.
Limited baking pan inventory often restricts dessert preparation to single-batch quantities. This layered square bypasses complex mixing bowls by building directly inside a standard 13x9 inch metal pan. Butter melts straight in the heated vessel at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating stovetop cleanup.
Scaling this confection requires careful management of the sweetened condensed milk ratio. Doubling the recipe to fit a half-sheet pan alters the moisture depth, which directly impacts the 25 to 30 minute bake time. Too thick a layer traps steam, preventing the condensed milk from setting into a solid, sliceable caramel bond. Conversely, spreading the ingredients too thinly across an oversized surface causes the chocolate chips and coconut flakes to scorch before the crust achieves a golden hue.
Pressing the particulate layers firmly into the fat-soaked crumb base creates structural integrity. Without this compression step, the finished squares crumble during cutting. Allow the pan to cool completely on a wire rack before portioning with a sharp chef knife. Store the resulting bars loosely covered at room temperature to preserve the crumb texture.
Pairing these dense, sugary squares with unsweetened black coffee or sharp cheddar cheese cuts the intense sweetness of the condensed milk. The bitterness of roasted coffee beans provides a necessary palate cleanser between bites.
