Feeling stressed out about the holidays? Sounds like you need a double dose of chocolate, and a whole lot of magic, STAT. This recipe delivers both in one concise cookie bar form.
These might look like a traditional, back-of-the-sweetened condensed milk-can magic cookie bars upon first glance. I mean, not that that would be a bad thing: the traditional, graham cracker-based version, is an enduring classic for good reason. But this specific version has a few surprises to offer.
First, the base contains no graham cracker crumbs, but trust me, you won't miss 'em. In this recipe, the base is made from Among Friends Baking Mixes "CJ's Double Chocolate Cookie Mix".
As you know, I am a big fan of using mixes to streamline my baking. As such, I was happy to have the opportunity to develop this recipe using one of my favorite baking mix brands: Among Friends Baking Mixes.
The nice thing about Among Friends is that as mixes go, I don't need to avert my eyes or feign ignorance when it comes to the ingredient list. It's all good stuff: whole grains, non-GMO ingredients...and everything is gluten-free, so this makes them appropriate for feeding a group (there's always someone who's gluten free!). But in spite of being gluten free, they're not jammed full of high glycemic fillers and gums, like tapioca starch and xanthan gum.
Anyway, long way of saying that the cookie mix imparts something incredible to these cookies. The chocolate, studded-with-chocolate-chunks dough is the perfect base for the magical melange of toppings that give their bars their name. The combination of sweetened condensed milk, coconut flakes, chocolate and butterscotch chips, and nuts comes together in sweet harmony with the rich base. Basically, what I want to tell you is that once you start eating these bar cookies, you will not want to stop.
These are a perfect holiday cookie swap or party treat, and they can be made ahead and frozen if you want to streamline holiday baking. They're a keeper: make them now, make them often, and be happy.
Double Chocolate Magic Cookie Bars
Makes about 24 - printable version here
- 1 Package CJ's double chocolate cookie mix
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels or chunks
- 1/2 cup butterscotch morsels
- 1 1/2 cups flaked coconut (see recipe note)
- 1 cup chopped nuts (I used a mix of toasted walnuts and pecans)
Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Generously grease a 9x13-inch pyrex type baking pan.
In a large bowl, combine the CJ's Double Chocolate Cookie Mix, two eggs, and melted butter. Stir until combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of the greased baking pan.
Pour the sweetened condensed milk on top of the cookie base. Scatter the chocolate morsels, butterscotch morsels, flaked coconut, and chopped nuts on top, aiming for even distribution. Use a fork or spatula to press down if needed.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until evenly golden. I like to turn the pan halfway through baking (at about the 12 minute mark).
Remove from the oven, and let the entire tray cool on a wire rack until room temperature. Slice and serve.
Store leftovers, well wrapped, at room temperature for up to 5 days. These bars can also be frozen for up to 1 month.