Get ready to sprinkle some serious holiday cheer into your kitchen with these absolutely irresistible Christmas Magic Bars! Imagine layers of soft Snickerdoodle cookie crust, rich chocolate, sweet butterscotch, flaky coconut, creamy sweetened condensed milk, and vibrant Holiday M&M’s, all crowned with a delicate white chocolate drizzle and a dusting of festive red sanding sugar. These aren’t just any cookie bars; they’re a symphony of flavors and textures, delivering that classic 7-layer magic bar experience with an extra touch of seasonal joy. Each bite offers a delightfully gooey, caramel-like texture that melts in your mouth, making them the perfect centerpiece for any holiday cookie exchange or a cozy treat for your family gatherings.

Festive 7-Layer Christmas Magic Bars: The Ultimate Holiday Treat

The holiday season calls for special treats, and these Christmas Magic Bars truly deliver. Combining the nostalgic warmth of Snickerdoodle cookies with a rich tapestry of classic magic bar ingredients, this recipe offers an incredibly easy path to a show-stopping dessert. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your holiday kitchen adventures, you’ll find these bars ridiculously simple to prepare, yet impressive enough to wow any crowd. Their delicious, gooey center and crispy edges make them an instant favorite, embodying everything wonderful about holiday baking.

Why These Christmas Magic Bars Are a Must-Try

These aren’t just another dessert; they are a celebration of holiday flavors packed into one delightful square. Here’s why these Christmas Magic Bars will become a staple in your festive repertoire:

• Uncomplicated Joy: Forget complicated recipes and endless steps. These bars are designed for ease, allowing you more time to enjoy the festivities rather than being stuck in the kitchen.
• Layered Perfection: Each ingredient contributes to a harmonious blend of tastes and textures. From the spiced Snickerdoodle base to the sweet M&M’s, every layer plays a crucial role in creating a truly magical experience.
• Holiday Spirit in Every Bite: By incorporating Holiday M&M’s and vibrant red sanding sugar, these bars instantly transform into a festive masterpiece, perfect for Christmas parties, potlucks, or simply a joyful family dessert.
• Gooey, Caramel-like Texture: The sweetened condensed milk works its magic during baking, creating a luscious, chewy, and slightly caramelized texture that’s utterly addictive.
• Versatile & Customizable: While the Snickerdoodle crust is a game-changer, the recipe is flexible, allowing you to experiment with different cookie bases or chocolate varieties to suit your preference.
• A Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a good bar cookie, and these 7-layer magic bars are universally adored. They’re easy to transport and share, making them ideal for gifting or adding to a diverse cookie assortment.

Gathering Your Magical Ingredients

The beauty of these Christmas Magic Bars lies in their simplicity and the readily available ingredients. While we lean on store-bought convenience to keep things stress-free, feel free to elevate your bars with homemade touches if you have the time!

• Snickerdoodle Cookie Crumbs: The star of our crust! Using Snickerdoodles instead of traditional graham crackers infuses a delightful cinnamon-sugar flavor that perfectly complements the holiday theme. Aim for about 25 standard-sized cookies to get 3½ cups of crumbs. You can use store-bought Snickerdoodles for convenience or your favorite homemade Snickerdoodle recipe for an extra special touch.
• Unsalted Butter (Melted): Essential for binding the cookie crumbs into a firm, flavorful crust. Unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the bars.
• Milk Chocolate Chips: A classic magic bar staple. Their creamy sweetness provides a perfect contrast to the other layers.
• Butterscotch Chips: These add a distinctive, rich, and caramel-like flavor that is quintessential to magic bars. They truly enhance the depth of flavor.
• Sweetened Shredded Coconut: Provides a wonderful chewy texture and a subtle tropical sweetness. Make sure it’s sweetened for the best flavor.
• Sweetened Condensed Milk: This is the “magic” ingredient! It binds all the layers together, creating that incredibly gooey, rich, and caramel-like texture as it bakes. Don’t confuse it with evaporated milk!
• Holiday M&M’s: The festive touch! These red and green candies not only add a pop of color but also a satisfying chocolate crunch. Any M&M’s will work, but the holiday colors make them extra special.
• White Chocolate (Chopped): Used for drizzling on top, it adds another layer of sweetness and a beautiful visual appeal. White chocolate bars or good quality white chocolate chips are best.
• Red Sanding Sugar (Optional): For that extra sparkly, festive finish. It’s purely for decoration but really makes the bars pop.

Christmas Magic Bars Recipe

These Christmas Magic Bars are an absolute delight, bursting with 7 decadent layers of flavor. Infused with festive M&M’s, they offer a perfect blend of gooey sweetness and holiday cheer.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Cool Time: 2 hours

Servings: 15 bars

Print Recipe

Ingredients

• 3½ cups snickerdoodle cookie crumbs (from about 25 cookies)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted (1 stick)
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup butterscotch chips
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk (1 can)
• ½ cup Holiday M&M’s
• ⅓ cup white chocolate, chopped
• Red sanding sugar (optional, for topping)

Equipment

• Kitchen Scale (optional, for precise measurements)
• 9×13 Baking Pan
• Food Processor (optional, for crushing cookies)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal, or spray thoroughly with nonstick spray.
2. To prepare the cookie crust, place the snickerdoodle cookies into a food processor and pulse until fine crumbs are formed. Measure out 3½ cups of these crumbs.
3. In a medium bowl, combine the snickerdoodle cookie crumbs with the melted unsalted butter. Mix thoroughly until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
4. Press the buttered crumb mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a measuring cup or a glass to achieve a compact base.
5. Layer the remaining ingredients directly on top of the crust in the following order: sprinkle the milk chocolate chips evenly, followed by the butterscotch chips, then the sweetened shredded coconut. Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over these layers, ensuring good coverage. Finally, scatter the Holiday M&M’s across the top.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center appears set and bubbly.
7. Once removed from the oven, place the chopped white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the warm cookie bars.
8. If desired, immediately sprinkle red sanding sugar over the white chocolate drizzle for an extra festive touch.
9. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before attempting to slice and serve. For cleanest cuts, refrigerate for at least one hour after cooling to room temperature.

Notes

• Nutritional information provided does not include any optional ingredients like red sanding sugar.
• Storage: Store leftover Christmas Magic Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. If freezing, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.

Nutrition Facts

Christmas Magic Bars Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 bar)

Calories 423
Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 12g75%

Trans Fat 1g

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 4g

Cholesterol 30mg10%

Sodium 187mg8%

Potassium 149mg4%

Carbohydrates 54g18%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 42g47%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 308IU6%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 95mg10%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Author: Becky Hardin

How to Make Christmas Magic Bars: A Detailed Step-by-Step Guide

Crafting these festive 7-layer bars is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to ensure a perfect batch of gooey, delicious Christmas Magic Bars that everyone will adore:

1. Prepare the Delightful Snickerdoodle Crust

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the correct temperature for even baking. Next, prepare your 9×13-inch baking pan. Lining it with parchment paper is highly recommended, as it allows for easy removal of the entire slab of bars once cooled, making cutting a breeze. If you don’t have parchment paper, a generous spray of nonstick cooking spray will work. Now for the star of the crust: the Snickerdoodle cookies. Place approximately 25 standard Snickerdoodle cookies into a food processor. Pulse until finely ground into crumbs. You’ll need about 3½ cups of these fragrant crumbs. Transfer the crumbs to a medium bowl, add ½ cup of melted unsalted butter, and mix thoroughly until all crumbs are moistened. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the base of your prepared baking pan. A flat-bottomed measuring cup or glass works wonders for creating a compact and level crust.

2. Layer the Magic!

This is where the “magic” truly happens. Carefully layer your chosen toppings directly over the pressed Snickerdoodle crust. The key is to distribute each ingredient evenly to ensure every bite is packed with flavor. First, sprinkle 1 cup of creamy milk chocolate chips. Follow this with 1 cup of sweet butterscotch chips. Next, spread 1 cup of sweetened shredded coconut over the chips. This trio forms the rich, chewy foundation of your layers. Then, pour one 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk evenly over all these ingredients. This is the binding agent that will create that irresistible gooey texture. Finally, scatter ½ cup of vibrant Holiday M&M’s across the top, adding a festive burst of color and a satisfying crunch. A light press with your hands before baking can help settle the layers.

3. Bake to Golden Perfection & Add Finishing Touches

Place your layered pan into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes. Keep an eye on them; the bars are ready when the edges are lightly golden brown and the center appears set and slightly bubbly. They should still look a little gooey in the middle, as they will firm up as they cool. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven. While the bars are still warm, prepare your white chocolate drizzle. Place ⅓ cup of chopped white chocolate (chips or a bar) in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in short bursts, stirring until smooth. Drizzle the melted white chocolate artfully over the warm magic bars. For an extra festive flourish, immediately sprinkle red sanding sugar over the white chocolate while it’s still warm, allowing it to adhere nicely. The hardest part? Waiting! Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before attempting to slice and serve. For optimal, clean cuts, refrigerate them for at least an hour once cooled to room temperature.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Magic Bars

Can I make these Christmas Magic Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! These bars are excellent for making ahead, which is perfect for busy holiday schedules. You can bake them up to 3 days in advance and store them at room temperature in an airtight container. They also freeze beautifully for up to 3 months.

What if I can’t find Holiday M&M’s?

No problem at all! You can use regular M&M’s, plain chocolate chips, or even chopped nuts for a different flavor profile. The key is to use something colorful if you want to maintain the festive look, so feel free to experiment with other holiday-themed sprinkles or candies.

How do I ensure my crust doesn’t fall apart?

The secret to a sturdy crust is firm compression. After mixing the cookie crumbs with melted butter, use the bottom of a glass or a flat measuring cup to press the mixture very firmly and evenly into the pan. This compacts the crumbs, preventing them from crumbling when you cut the bars.

Can I use other types of cookies for the crust?

Yes! While Snickerdoodles add a unique and delicious flavor, you can certainly substitute them with other cookies. Graham crackers are a classic choice for magic bars. Other great options include shortbread cookies, ginger snaps (for an extra spicy kick), or even vanilla wafers. Just ensure you measure out 3½ cups of crumbs.

How do I store leftover Christmas Magic Bars?

For best results, store leftover Christmas Magic Bars in an airtight container. They will stay fresh at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw frozen bars overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Why are my magic bars too sticky or hard to cut?

Magic bars are inherently gooey, but if they’re excessively sticky or difficult to cut cleanly, it’s usually due to not cooling them completely. Patience is key! Ensure they cool fully at room temperature, and then refrigerate them for at least an hour before slicing. This firms up the sweetened condensed milk and chocolate layers, allowing for cleaner cuts. Also, wiping your knife with a damp cloth between cuts helps immensely.

Serving Suggestions for Your Festive Bars

These Christmas Magic Bars are delightful on their own, but a few simple additions can elevate the experience even further. Serve them alongside a warm mug of hot cocoa, a creamy vanilla latte, or a glass of cold milk for a comforting treat. For a truly decadent dessert, pair a square with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, allowing the bar’s warmth to slightly melt the ice cream into a delightful sauce. Garnish with an extra sprinkle of red sanding sugar, a sprig of fresh mint, or a few more M&M’s for a beautiful presentation. They also make fantastic edible gifts when individually wrapped and tied with a festive ribbon!