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    Home » Recipes » Desserts (Baked) » Magic Cookie Bars with a Tropical Twist!

    PUBLISHED: March 22, 2020 • By Toni Dash 30 Comments

    Magic Cookie Bars with a Tropical Twist!

    Jump to Recipe

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Magic Bars with pineapple and coconut title image

    Classic Magic Cookie Bars turn into a tropical dessert with flavors of macadamia nuts, pineapple and coconut. Easy to make, chewy and irresistibly good!

    Magic Cookie Bars with pineapple and coconut title image

    Everyone will come running when they smell THESE Magic Cookie Bars baking!

    The classic seven layer bars are transformed into the flavors of a tropical vacation!

    Dried pineapple, sweet shredded coconut, white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts brighten any day!

    What are Magic Cookie Bars?

    Magic Bars, are also known as Seven Layer Bars, Hello Dolly Bars or Five Layer Bars.

    They are a dessert cookie bar with a graham cracker crumb crust, layered with chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, flaked coconut and nuts. 

    Sweetened condensed milk is poured over the bars before baking magically creating a chewy, sweet delicious bar that’s very easy to make.

    plate of tropical Magic Bars

    A Topical Twist

    This version is changed up to have the flavor of the tropics.

    If you can’t take a tropical vacation this cookie bar recipe will make you feel like you are having one at home!

    White chocolate chips, macadamia nuts, dried pineapple pair up with the traditional coconut and a Golden Oreo crust.

    Magic Bars with tropical flavor ingredients

    Ingredients

    The ingredients in these Magic Cookie Bars last indefinitely in the pantry or refrigerator.

    • Golden Oreos or Vanilla Sandwich Cookies (regular or gluten-free)
    • Unsalted butter
    • White chocolate chips
    • Dried pineapple
    • Sweetened Flaked coconut
    • Dry roasted macadamia nuts
    • Sweetened condensed milk

    Magic Bars on a white plate

    Ingredient Notes

    Vanilla Sandwich Cookies

    Any brand of vanilla sandwich cookies can be used. Either regular or gluten-free cookies work great!

    Macadamia Nuts

    Macadamia nuts are a fatty tree nut with a unique buttery flavor.

    If you cannot find macadamia nuts at your grocery store you can buy them online. 

    SUBSTITUTION: However if you cannot find them substitute pecans, walnuts, cashews or almonds.

    Brazil nuts can also be substituted though are probably more difficult to find.

    stack of Magic Cookie Bars

    How to Make Magic Bars – Step-by-Step

    STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment or foil (shiny side down) sprayed with non-stick spray. 

    PRO TIP: Leave an overhang of parchment or foil for easy removal of the Magic Bars after baking for easy cutting.

    STEP 2: Combine the sandwich cookies and melted butter in the food processor (photo 1). Process into fine crumbs (photo 2).

    Magic Bars recipes steps collage 1

    STEP 3: Spoon the crumbs into the prepared pan (photo 3) and press into a crust (photo 4). TIP: using the bottom of a flat measuring cup works great for this!

    STEP 4: Bake the crust for 10 minutes; during baking proceed with the recipe preparation. AFTER BAKING remove the crust and turn the oven up to 350 degrees F.

    STEP 5: Chop the dried pineapple into small pieces (photo 5). 

    STEP 6: Process the macadamia nuts in a food processor or mini chopper to form small pieces (photos 6-8).

    Magic Bars recipes steps collage 2

    Layering the Magic Bars

    STEP 7: Sprinkle the macadamia nuts evenly on the crust (photo 10). Follow with 1 cup white chocolate chips (photo 11), sweetened coconut (photo 12) and dried pineapple (photo 13).

    Magic Bars recipes steps collage 3

    STEP 8: Pour the sweetened evaporated milk evenly over the top (photo 14) followed by the remaining white chocolate chips (photo 15).

    STEP 9: Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees just until the sides turn golden in color (photo 16).Magic Bars recipes steps collage 4

    STEP 10: Cool completely on a cooling rack. Cover with foil and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours. Remove from the pan and cut (photo 16).

    Allow to stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.

    tropical magic bars stack

    How to Store

    At Room Temperature

    The cookie bars can be stored, covered, at room temperature for up to 3 days. NOTE: if in a hot or humid climate, store them in the refrigerator.

    In the Refrigerator

    Store the fully cooled in the refrigerator, cut bars in the pan covered tightly with plastic wrap or foil for up to 1 week.

    In the Freezer

    After the bars have fully chilled and been cut, wrap individual bars in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer bag and in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

    They can be eaten straight from the freezer for a chewy consistency. Otherwise allow them to thaw in the refrigerator before eating.

    Magic Bars with pineapple and coconut

    More Dessert Bar Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Mermaid Bait Bars
    • Pumpkin Spice Hello Dolly Bars
    • Holiday Chocolate Peppermint Magic Bars
    • Monster Cookies
    • Blackberry Oatmeal Bars
    • Millionaire’s Shortbread recipe

    Magic Bars with pineapple

    Did you make it? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

    Please SUBSCRIBE and FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK , TWITTER , INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST !

    Magic Bars with pineapple and coconut title image

    Magic Bars with a Tropical Twist

    Yields: 16 Bars Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time: 10 Minutes for crust + 30 minutes
    5 from 25 votes
    Print Save Recipe Recipe Saved! Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 40 minutes
    Chilling Time in the Refrigerator: 2 hours
    Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
    Servings: 16 bars
    Calories: 393kcal
    Author: Toni Dash
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 24 Golden Oreos or vanilla sandwich cookies (regular or gluten-free)
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
    • 1 1/2 cups vanilla white chocolate chips
    • 6 ounce package dried pineapple
    • 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
    • 4 ounces dry roasted macadamia nuts
    • 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Prepare an 8-inch square baking pan by lining with foil (shiny side down) or parchment paper, sprayed with non-stick spray. TIP: allow an overhang for easy removal from the pan after baking.
    • Add the Oreos and melted butter to a food processor and blend until crumbs are fine. They will look like wet sand.
    • Pour the crumbs into the bottom of the prepared pan and press into the bottom. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes.
    • While the crust is baking and cooling, chop the dried pineapple into small pieces and blend the macadamia nuts in a food processor until crumbs are formed.
    • After removing the crust from the oven turn the temperature up to 350 degrees.

    Layering the Bars

    • Sprinkle nuts along the bottom on top of crust. Follow with 1 cup of the white chocolate chips, then sprinkle with the coconut followed by the pineapple.
    • Pour the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the top.
    • Decorate the top with the remaining chocolate chips and a little coconut.

    Baking the Magic Bars

    • Bake the bars for 30 minutes, just until the sides are starting to turn golden in color.
    • Cool completely, then cover with foil and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours.
      When ready to cut into bars, allow them to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes and then slice and enjoy!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 202mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 159IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 121mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @boulderlocavore or tag #boulderlocavore!
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    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    TONI DASH
    Toni Dash head shot

    Toni Dash, is a Certified Nutrition Coach and the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of Boulder Locavore®. She has been developing easy to make, well-tested recipes since 2010. Her seasonal recipes bring excitement to the dining table for both gluten-free and gluten diners. Toni has been featured in numerous publications and on culinary websites for her creative, delicious recipes and travel features. For more details, check out her About page.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lindsay Cotter says

      March 27, 2020 at 5:53 am

      5 stars
      Loved the tropical flavors in these! So fun and delicious!

      Reply
    2. Katie says

      March 25, 2020 at 10:45 am

      5 stars
      I’m such a sucker for magic bars- and this tropical take on it makes things so bright and refreshing!

      Reply
    3. Krystel | Frugal Living says

      March 25, 2020 at 8:24 am

      Ugh this looks so amazing right now! Next time I get groceries, I’ll get the ingredients.

      Reply
    4. cathy says

      March 25, 2020 at 6:06 am

      5 stars
      We needed a treat and this absolutely hit the spot. So good!!

      Reply
    5. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says

      March 24, 2020 at 10:42 pm

      5 stars
      These taste and look like spring!

      Reply
    6. ClaudiaKrusch says

      March 24, 2020 at 8:00 pm

      5 stars
      Such a great dessert! I can’t wait to try it this coming weekend! I know my family will love it!

      Reply
    7. Suzy says

      March 24, 2020 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      These make me think of summer! Love the tropical twist especially the addition of the golden oreos!

      Reply
    8. Romy says

      March 24, 2020 at 11:55 am

      5 stars
      Yum! These tropical bars are just the tasty distraction that I need right now

      Reply
    9. Sam says

      March 24, 2020 at 11:19 am

      5 stars
      I followed your recipe to a t and it worked perfectly. Thanks for all the detailed information.

      Reply
    10. Celebrate Woman Today says

      March 24, 2020 at 9:17 am

      I love the color of these cookies. So bright. So sunshiny!

      Reply
    « Older Comments

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    About Toni Dash

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    Welcome! I’m Toni. I’m a Certified Nutrition Coach and my goal is to MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER with delicious, well-tested recipes and travel tips! More About Me …

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