Healthy Magic Bars

These decadent healthy magic bars are tiny squares of heaven. The bars have an almond flour graham cracker crust and layers of chocolate chips, coconut flakes, pecans, and sweetened condensed coconut milk. Perfectly chewy, salty, and sweet!

Sometimes called seven layer bars or hello dolly bars, these healthy magic bars are always at the top of my holiday cookie list. They’ve got a little bit of everything: chewy, buttery, chocolatey, sweet, and a little crunchy. And while I love decorating almond flour sugar cookie, it’s just not the holidays without a little magic (cookie bars) in your life!

I’ve taken these magic bars to just about every holiday celebration, and wherever they go, they’re the star of the show. No one has any clue this magic cookie bar recipe is made with healthier ingredients—which is always a secret goal of mine.

When I first started experimenting with healthy dessert recipes back in the day, this was actually the first recipe I tried. I had never tried making sweetened condensed milk with coconut milk, but I was determined to nail it. I’m excited to share that making your own condensed milk couldn’t be easier.

Because the ingredients are so simple, this recipe makes paleo magic cookie bars that are completely dairy free! They are something everyone at the table can enjoy.

What Makes These Magic Bars Healthier?

I love figuring out ways to make healthy swaps in desserts without sacrificing texture or flavor. While these magic bars are made with healthier ingredients, it’s everything you’d want and more—a buttery crust with a sweet and chocolatey filling! This recipe is:

• Made with whole ingredients: The base of this magic cookie bar recipe is an almond flour crust, and the filling is just coconut milk, nuts, and dark chocolate chips!
• Gluten free: This paleo magic cookie bar recipe is made with almond flour and coconut flour. It’s sweetened with a little raw honey to give it a graham cracker flavor.
• Dairy free: This magic cookie bar is completely dairy free! It is SO easy to make your own condensed coconut milk. And bonus—it tastes better, too!
• Naturally sweetened: Honey is the only natural sweetener used in the magic cookie bars.

Ingredient Notes

• Coconut milk – It’s important to use a can of full-fat coconut milk for this recipe to get thicker sweetened coconut condensed milk.
• Honey – I recommend using a local, raw honey for the best flavor and nutrients.
• Dark chocolate chips – For 100% paleo chocolate chips, use Hu Kitchen chocolate chips.
• Coconut flakes – Make sure to grab unsweetened coconut flakes, not shreds. The flakes give the bars a nice crunch!

• Almond flour – Make sure to use blanched almond flour. This makes the crust more graham cracker-like.
• Coconut flour – This is a drier flour made from ground coconut meat. You’ll find this in the baking section near other gluten free flours.
• Sea salt – I like to use an unprocessed sea salt like Real Salt.

Substitutions

• Almond flour: You can use another nut flour, like cashew flour.
• Coconut flour: You can swap this for tapioca flour, or any 1-to-1 gluten free baking flour.
• Honey: Use maple syrup instead. Note: it will be less sweet!
• Ghee or coconut oil: Use unsalted butter. Just make sure it’s melted.
• Nuts: If you don’t have almonds or pecans on hand, you can use another nut like walnuts or cashews.

How to Make Healthy Magic Bars

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Make the Condensed Milk: Add the coconut milk and honey to a medium saucepan and place it over medium heat. Once the milk starts to boil, reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the mixture to simmer until it reduces by half, about 25 minutes, stirring frequently. If thicker sugar pieces begin to stick to the sides, whisk to incorporate. Once the coconut milk has thickened and coats the back of a spoon, remove the pan from heat and set aside to cool.
3. For the Crust: While the coconut condensed milk is simmering, in a medium bowl, whisk the almond flour, coconut flour, salt, and cinnamon until combined. Add the melted coconut oil and honey and mix everything together until a crumbly dough forms. With a spatula or your hands, press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow crust to cool for 2-3 minutes before topping with ingredients.
4. Add the Filling: To assemble the bars, sprinkle ¼ cup chocolate chips evenly over the crust, pressing the chips into the crust. Then, layer the pecans, almonds, coconut flakes, and remaining chocolate chips evenly over the crust.
5. Add the Condensed Milk: Gently whisk the coconut milk, then pour it over top of the bars. Sprinkle the bars with 1-2 tablespoons coconut flakes.
6. Bake: Return the pan to the oven and bake the bars for 25 minutes, or until slightly golden on top. Let bars cool, then place them in the refrigerator to set for one hour. Cut into squares, serve, and enjoy!

Baking Tips

• To save time, start the sweetened condensed coconut milk, then work on the crust while the milk is simmering. Make sure to keep stirring the coconut milk every 3-4 minutes.
• Make sure to use unsweetened coconut flakes, not shredded coconut. You can chop the larger flakes if needed. It’s what makes the bars thicker, decadent, and crunchy.
• If you don’t have almonds, you can use another nut like walnuts or cashews.
• Press 1/4 chocolate chips into the crust before layering the remaining ingredients to help the chocolate solidified into the crust.
• Check to make sure the crust is cool to the touch before you start layering the filling.
• Update 12/2022: I’ve now seen sweetened condensed coconut milk in stores! I have not personally tried using store-bought brands for this recipe, but you will likely need about 7-8 oz sweetened condensed coconut milk for the recipe.

Recipe FAQs

Sweetened Condensed Coconut Milk

While magic cookie bars are traditionally made with a can of sweetened condensed milk, you can easily make your own with a single can of full-fat coconut milk. You simply simmer the milk in a saucepan with a little honey, and wait for it to reduce.

If you’ve never tried making a sweetened condensed coconut milk before, it truly couldn’t be easier! Just give it the time it needs to simmer ever so slightly, and stir consistently. The end result is a creamy and sweet milk that pair perfectly with the dark chocolate, coconut, and chopped nuts.

Paleo Magic Cookie Bars

To make a recipe Paleo, it needs to be made without grains, beans, dairy, or processed sugar. By default, this is a paleo magic cookie bar recipe! Instead of graham crackers, the crust is made with almond and coconut flour and natural sweeteners. To make this 100% paleo, make sure to use dark chocolate chips that don’t have added sugar or soy lecithin.

Storage and Freezing

STORE: You can store these healthy magic cookie bars at room temperature or in the fridge. If you like yours soft, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I personally love these bars chilled! Just store them in the fridge for up to a week (if they last that long).

FREEZE: To freeze, cut the bars into squares and store them in a freezer-safe container or storage bag. Separate each bar with a piece of parchment paper so they don’t stick together. They’ll last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat a bar, just lay it out in the fridge to thaw.

Other Healthy Desserts

• Almond Flour Sugar Cookies

• 4-Ingredient Vegan Caramel Sauce
• Paleo Chocolate Banana Bread
• Healthy Gingerbread Coffee Cake
• Fluffy Paleo Cinnamon Rolls

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