“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. . . .” Proverbs 4:23

Mama Fawn’s take on the classic Magic Cookie Bars.  Buttery graham cracker crust topped with lots of crunch, sweet and tart toppings.  The real ‘magic’ is not only the taste but how easy they are to make.

Always an Interesting Story . . . 

One of the very first desserts I made my husband when we got married was the Magic Cookie Bars.  It was such an easy dessert to make and pretty much a no-fail recipe. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize my husband didn’t care too much for coconut hence my no fail recipe was a failure!

Of course, I would make them for get-togethers and they were always a hit (as long as you like coconut 😉).  As the years went by though, I pretty much stopped making them.  

A couple of weeks ago, I was going through my ratty old recipe book that I have been using (tried and true recipes I have been preparing since I have been married) and I came across the recipe for Magic Bar Cookies.  

Then I had an idea 💡!  Just as I like to tweak so many other recipes, I could do the same for this one minus the coconut.  So that is what I did and I have to tell you, I’m impressed!

What are ‘Magic Cookie Bars’ ?

Magic cookie bars are a chewy dessert with a base of graham cracker crumbs and butter, layered with sweetened condensed milk and usually topped with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, nuts and the infamous sweetened coconut.

They are also known as Hello Dolly Bars and Seven Layer Bars.  We do not know where they originated from but they became very popular in the 1960’s where Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk used to publish the recipe in magazines and on the labels of their cans.

What is Sweetened Condensed Milk?

Not to be confused with Evaporated milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk is a thick and sweet canned milk that is made by heating milk (cows) to evaporate to about 60% of its water and then adding sugar.  The sugar obviously gives the milk its ‘sweetened’ taste but also extends its shelf life.

What is a Macadamia Nut?

So interesting fact, the macadamia nut isn’t actually a nut but a seed! 😲

I always thought the macadamia nut was from Hawaii because they are known as the Hawaii nut in the United States, so of course I would think that but they are actually indigenous to Australia.  No wonder they are pricey?  Now macadamia nuts are commercially produced in Hawaii so I wasn’t not totally wrong.

As with most nuts (or seeds), they can have very good health benefits such as healthy fats, fiber and vitamins.  They also contain antioxidants that can help prevent such illnesses and slow the aging process.

What Do I Need to Make Cranberry-Macadamia Magic Bars?

You will need a mixing bowl, mixing spoon, 13 x 9 baking dish, parchment paper or foil, and the following ingredients:

Mama Fawn’s Tips . . . 

• You can buy graham crackers crumbs instead on the aisle where you find your baking ingredients.
• Do not substitute evaporated milk for sweetened condensed milk.  They are not the same and will not produce the cookie bar you want. *See note above.
• Sweetened dried cranberries would be a lovely substitute for this magic bar but know that it won’t be called Cranberry any more.  😂
• Using parchment paper or foil helps get the bars out of the baking dish but if you do not want to use either one, make sure you grease the baking pan liberally with butter or baking spray.
• Of course you can substitute any nut for the macadamia nuts but the name won’t be the same.
• Make sure the magic bars are completely cooled before cutting.