Monster Magic Cookie Bars

So we’ve all heard of the classic dessert known as Magic Bars.  You know, the bars with a graham cracker crust that’s topped by condensed milk, chocolate chips, chopped nuts and coconut?  Yes, you know know what I’m talking about.  Well, as much as I love this classic, I have a deliciously rich new spin to share with you.
I now present you with Monster Magic Bars.  In my mind, these are what would come about if Monster Cookies (or kitchen sink cookies) met Magic bars and they had babies.  Brightly colored, rich, chocolatey, sweet babies.  Pure heaven in a bar.  This dessert has a little bit of everything, so it’s sure to fit any taste.  Plus it’s somewhat healthy too; I mean it does have oats.  Oats are a healthy breakfast food; therefore making this dessert both healthy and a perfeclty realistic option for breakfast!  Haha.  I’m just kidding.  Maybe.  No, really.  Just kidding. 

These bars are delicious and incredibly easy to put together, making this the perfect dessert for any occassion.  Something else I love about these bars is that they are easily customizable for any taste.  The original, classic magic bars consist of a few simple ingredients that combine to make one delicious dessert.  This recipe starts with the same graham cracker base, topped by condensed milk and then a plethora of toppings from candy, to oats, to peanut butter.  There are so many flavors and textures going on in this dessert; sweet, salty, crunchy, and chewy.  This bar has it all.  As you can see, the topping options are endless.  I already have a few other flavor combos that I can’t wait to try!   

Monster Magic Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

1 1/4 Cups (about 9 full crackers) graham cracker crumbs
4 Tbsp butter
1 Can sweetened condensed milk
3/4 Cups quick cooking oats
3/4 Cups M&M’s
3/4 Cups chocolate chips
1/2 Cup sweetened, shredded coconut
1/4 Cup creamy peanut butter

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. 

Line a 9×13 pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Place butter into a microwave safe bowl, place in microwave and heat to melt.  Add the cracker crumbs and stir until completely combined.  Pour the crumb mixture into the prepared baking pan.  Using your hands, spread the crumbs evenly over the bottom and press to pack down. 

Place the peanut butter in a heat safe bowl and microwave until the consistency is runny, and easily drizzled, about 15-25 seconds.

Meanwhile, pour the condensed milk over the packed cracker crumbs.  Spread to form an even layer.  Sprinkle the oats, m&m’s, chocolate chips, and coconut over the condensed milk.  Drizzle the softened peanut butter over the chocolate and candy mixture.  Place the bars in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, until browned and edges are pulling away from the sides.

Remove bars from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes.  Tightly grab the excess parchment paper and remove the bars from the pan.  Allow to cool completely, cut and serve.

Recipe source: slightly adapted from Something Swanky